From a former hospital CEO agreeing to pay $1 million to settle a false claims case to a federal appeals court halting a hospital merger in Pennsylvania, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. Vibra Healthcare to pay $32.7M to settle false claims case
Vibra Healthcare, a national hospital chain based in Mechanicsburg, Pa., agreed to pay the federal government more than $32.7 million to resolve claims it billed Medicare for medically unnecessary services in violation of the False Claims Act.
2. CarePoint sues Horizon for $76M in unpaid, underpaid medical bills
Jersey City, N.J.-based CarePoint Health filed a federal lawsuit against Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, alleging the payer owes CarePoint $76 million in unpaid and underpaid claims.
3. Former Tuomey CEO will pay $1M to settle false claims case
The former CEO of Sumter, S.C.-based Tuomey Healthcare System Ralph J. Cox III agreed to pay $1 million for his involvement in an illegal Medicare and Medicaid billing scheme.
4. Saint Vincent Hospital sued for firing six employees who refused flu shots
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has accused Erie, Pa.-based Saint Vincent Hospital of religious discrimination.
5. Appeals court halts PinnacleHealth-Penn State Hershey merger
A federal appeals court ruled that a proposed merger between Penn State Hershey (Pa.) Medical Center and Harrisburg, Pa.-based PinnacleHealth System should be halted.
6. HealthPartners, Wal-Mart battle over logo in court
Bloomington, Minn.-based HealthPartners is seeking a federal court judgment that declares it is not infringing on the trademark rights of Wal-Mart and Sam's West, both based in Bentonville, Ark.
7. Whistle-blower claims NY hospital staff abused patients to extend Medicaid payments
Alfred Robenzadeh, MD, who trained in Valhalla, N.Y.-based Westchester Medical Center's psychiatric unit, filed a lawsuit against WMC and several of its supervisors, claiming hospital staff abused patients and defrauded Medicaid.
8. Teen faces charges for brutal assault of nursing assistant at Texas hospital
A teenager who attacked a nursing assistant at Springwood Hospital in Bedford, Texas, in August was charged with aggravated assault with serious bodily injury and assault with bodily injury.
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