Sat.Aug 27, 2016 - Fri.Sep 02, 2016

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Early Bird Whistleblowers May Block Third Whistleblower From $18M FCA Deal

The Health Law Firm

By Miles O. Indest, J.D./M.B.A.; Law Clerk, The Health Law Firm On August 16, 2016, two whistleblowers asked a Colorado federal court to disqualify a third whistleblower from sharing in a $18 million False Claims Act settlement award with OptumHealth. Evercare LLC (now known as OptumHealth) had allegedly submitted false Medicare claims for hospice care on behalf of patients who were not in fact terminally ill.

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Texas Jury Finds Doctor Responsible for Harassment of Nurse Despite Settlement Being Reached

The Health Law Firm

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On August 9, 2016, a licensed vocational nurse in Texas who alleged she was bullied and sexually harassed by a doctor at work was vindicated when a $440,000 settlement was reached between the parties. Patricia Hahn alleged the harassment she received from Dr.

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Ninth Circuit Upholds Whistleblower Complaint Against Health Insurance Giants

The Health Law Firm

By Miles O. Indest, J.D./M.B.A.; Law Clerk, The Health Law Firm In a David and Goliath legal battle, a whistleblower recently won a small victory against several large insurance companies accused of defrauding the Medicare Advantage Program. Ignorance Was Bliss: Medicare Payments for Over-Coded Diagnoses. On August 10, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit unanimously ordered United Healthcare, WellPoint, Aetna, and other health insurance providers to answer whistleblowe

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SEC Fines Health Net $340,000 for Anti-Whistleblower Agreements

The Health Law Firm

By Miles Indest, J.D./M.B.A.; Law Clerk, The Health Law Firm On August 16, 2016, Health Net Inc. agreed to pay a $340,000 penalty to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for allegedly using severance agreements to restrict the rights of whistleblowers. The health insurance company paid the penalty without admitting or denying the SEC’s allegations.

Fraud 40
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HIPAA Compliance: Can Your Organization Avoid Costly Government Penalties and Fines?

Colington Consulting was established in 2013 and helps organizations achieve HIPAA compliance and ensures clients stay current with the latest enforcement trends. We provide a full range of HIPAA compliance services and consulting. What separates us from our competitors is our knowledge of HIPAA compliance regulations and their application to each of our client’s particular scenarios and requirements.

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Maryland’s Approval of Thirty Medical Marijuana Businesses Shadows Florida’s Efforts

The Health Law Firm

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Three years ago, Maryland regulators first legalized marijuana for medical use. Maryland has recently nurtured its commitment to the medical cannabis movement, awarding thirty businesses with licenses to grow and process medical marijuana. Maryland Regulators Balance Economic Growth with Consumer Safety.

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Florida Organization Maintains False Claims Suit Against Anesthesiology Companies and Others

The Health Law Firm

By Miles O. Indest, J.D./M.B.A.; Law Clerk, The Health Law Firm The Florida Society of Anesthesiologists (FSA) is unwavering as a qui tam relator, maintaining that more than 50 physicians, anesthesiology companies, and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) engaged in illegal kickback schemes. The suit involves claims under the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and the Florida Medicaid False Claims Act.