From WellCare's former general counsel receiving a prison sentence to a physician pleading guilty to using a fake identity to treat patients at a Maryland hospital, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. Ex-WellCare general counsel gets prison time for role in $35M fraud scheme
The former general counsel of WellCare, Thaddeus M.S. Bereday, was sentenced to six months in prison for his role in a $35 million healthcare fraud scheme.
2. Physician used fake identity to treat patients at Maryland hospital
Oluwafemi Charles Igberase pleaded guilty to misusing a Social Security number to fraudulently obtain a medical license in Maryland.
3. Spectrum Health asks judge to dismiss lawsuit alleging race-based staff assignment
A former nurse for Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spectrum Health filed a discrimination lawsuit against the company alleging she was not allowed to care for a patient because she is black, but Spectrum asked the judge to dismiss the suit because the nurse did not receive any adverse employment action.
4. 69 Indiana hospitals accused of retaining $324M in fraudulent EHR incentive payments
A recently unsealed lawsuit filed by attorneys under the qui tam, or whistle-blower, provision of the False Claims Act accuses Indiana hospitals of overcharging patients for their electronic medical records.
5. Former California dialysis center, ambulance company employees plead guilty to $6.6M Medicare scheme
The former employees of a Los Angeles dialysis center and a California ambulance company pleaded guilty to Medicare fraud charges.
6. Pfizer pays $94M to resolve allegations it made fraudulent patents to delay generic competition
Pfizer will pay $94 million to resolve allegations that it used fraudulent patents to delay generic competition for its anti-inflammatory drug Celebrex.
7. Man arrested for assaulting Memorial Hospital employee
A patient was arrested outside Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Memorial Hospital after he assaulted a hospital employee and multiple police officers
8. University of Vermont Medical Center settles lawsuit with deaf patients
Burlington-based University of Vermont Medical Center reached a settlement with the U.S. attorney for Vermont over allegations the hospital did not offer deaf patients effective communications resources.
9. Georgia nursing home operator to pay $1.25M settlement for poor care at Mississippi facility
A nursing home operator in Alpharetta, Ga., agreed to pay $1.25 million to settle allegations of poor care in a Mississippi nursing home.
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