July 29, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
In today’s case, we examine a recent False Claims Act settlement involving the Medicaid drug rebate program. The drug rebate program[1. http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Benefits/Prescription-Drugs/Medicaid-Drug-Rebate-Program.html] is essentially a partnership between the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), state Medicaid offices, and private drug manufacturers. Generally, private drug manufacturers are offered the opportunity to […]
July 28, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
In 2013, we covered a historic False Claims Act verdict entered by the U.S District Court for the District of South Carolina against Tuomey Healthcare System. In that case, a whistleblower-physician alleged that the company was requiring doctors to agree to referral schemes that violated both the False Claims Act […]
July 27, 2015
Contractor Fraud
Government contract work can be extremely lucrative, providing companies with a regular stream of income and dependable job security for their employees. Accordingly, the risk for rampant fraud and abuse of taxpayer resources is also very common, particularly when it comes to adhering to the ironclad provisions in the government’s […]
July 24, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
When it comes to reimbursement for surgical procedures, Medicare and Medicaid maintain strict guidelines with regard to the location of the surgery and whether it took place in a hospital or independent facility. Recognizing that hospitals have a much higher overhead rate, and generally cost more to operate and maintain, […]
July 23, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
Proving that healthcare fraud truly knows no bounds, the Children’s National Medical Center – through its Children’s Hospital Medical Graduate Program – is accused of engaging in costly and wasteful healthcare fraud involving various pediatric patients enrolled in the Medicaid program. Consequently, the hospital has agreed to pay a staggering […]
July 22, 2015
Medicaid Fraud
With one of the most active and often-used state False Claims Acts, New York has once again taken aim at alleged misconduct within the healthcare industry. According to a recent announcement by the New York Attorney General’s Office, the popular Walgreens pharmacy and its subsidiary Trinity Homecare, LLC have reached […]
July 21, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
In yesterday’s post, we introduced the concept of risk assessment scores, and how the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) relies on information reported by healthcare facilities to adjust reimbursement rates [1. Medicare Managed Care Manual, Chapter 7. http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/mc86c07.pdf] for certain demographics and regional areas. As a review, certain […]
July 20, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
According to a report published by the Center for Public Integrity, as many as six separate whistleblower lawsuits have been filed since 2010 alleging inflated ‘risk adjustment scores’ submitted to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This paradigm shift in alleging false claims centers on the notion that […]
July 17, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
As a healthcare practitioner, permission to work with Medicaid and Medicare participants can be an extremely lucrative area of practice. For many physicians working in areas with an aging or low-income demographic, government healthcare enrollees can quickly become a large majority of the patient load – which can often invite […]
July 15, 2015
Contractor Fraud
In today’s post, we explore a form of trickery involving underpayment of workers tasked with constructing federally-funded housing in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area. Watry Homes, LLC, has settled both civil and criminal charges stemming from a massive payroll fraud scheme costing taxpayers millions of dollars and resulting in the extreme […]
July 6, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
In today’s post, we will explore a recent $105,000 settlement involving a Tulsa, Oklahoma, physician accused of defrauding the taxpayer-funded Medicare system, which serves millions of Americans aged 65 and older with affordable health insurance coverage.[1. Department of Justice Press Release, “Settlement Reached In Medicare Fraud Lawsuit Against Tulsa Doctor And […]
July 3, 2015
Healthcare Fraud
The Riverside General Hospital first opened its doors in the 1960s amid a torrent racial climate, becoming one of the first hospitals to de-segregate and operate on policies of inclusion and equality. Since then, it has faced untold financial struggles, including a recent indictment stemming from allegations of nine-figure financial […]