By Steve Kardell | Published January 10, 2023 | Posted in Fraud, Whistleblower Litigation | Tagged Tags: Medicare Fraud, telehealth, telehealth medicare fraud |
Telehealth Services Increased Medicare Fraud
The COVID-19 pandemic made telehealth essential. With shutdowns across the country, people still needed medical care, and telehealth came to the rescue. The number of “virtual” physicians increased from zero to thousands overnight. Unfortunately, telehealth makes it easier to commit fraud. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) encountered more schemes, which cost taxpayers Read More
Read MoreAmerican Senior Communities, LLC Settles False Medicare Claims for over $5 Million
American Senior Communities LLC, or ASC, violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to Medicare. The organization recently agreed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to pay just under $6 million to settle the claims. Proceeds reimbursed Medicare and awarded the whistleblower who brought the claim. The Medicare scheme ASC provides skilled nursing Read More
Read MoreDepartment of Justice Announces Pair of False Claims Act Settlements
The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced two settlements of qui tam lawsuits under the False Claims Act, which allows private individuals to file lawsuits on behalf of the government when they become aware of fraud committed by companies or individuals. Here’s a brief overview of these settlements. Healthkeeperz, Inc. Healthkeeperz, Inc., a behavioral healthcare Read More
Read MoreFederal Government Files Lawsuit Against Doctor for False Claims Act Violations
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania recently announced it initiated a lawsuit against family medical doctor Peter J. Baddick, III over allegations of medically unnecessary prescriptions for Subsys, a fentanyl-based spray used for cancer pain. Case background In the complaint, the federal government alleges Dr. Baddick violated the False Claims Act Read More
Read MoreGeorgia Cancer Specialists Will Pay $8 Million to Settle Medicare Fraud Claims
Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS), one of the nation’s largest oncology specialists, will pay the federal government $8 million to resolve Medicare fraud claims involving what a judge called a “sophisticated kickback scheme.” The whistleblowers who helped initiate the case will receive the maximum 30 percent award for reporting the fraud and assisting the federal government Read More
Read MoreHayat Pharmacy to Settle False Claims Act Case for $2 Million
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced a settlement with Milwaukee-based chain Hayat Pharmacy for $2.05 over allegations the pharmacy made false claims to Medicaid and Medicare for prescription medications. The money from the settlement will be divided between the Wisconsin state government and the federal government. Wisconsin will receive approximately 34 percent Read More
Read MoreInformation About the Major 2021 Medicare Part C Fraud Settlements
Healthcare fraud costs the United States billions of dollars every year—and those are just the schemes that get uncovered. This was true once again in 2021, as healthcare fraud was the top source of False Claims Act violations for the year. Of $5.6 billion in total False Claims Act settlements and judgements last year, approximately Read More
Read MoreCharges Issued in $784 Million Telemedicine Kickback Scheme
The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced charges from a grand jury in New Jersey issued against the owner of multiple telemedicine companies. The defendant is based in Florida and runs a group known as the Video Doctor Network, which allegedly participated in a widespread Medicare fraud scheme. Case background The owner of the Video Read More
Read MoreApria Healthcare Group Agrees to Settle Billing Fraud Case for $40.5 Million
Apria Healthcare Group, Inc. (Apria), a durable medical equipment provider that operates throughout the United States, recently agreed to settle a multistate billing fraud claim to the tune of $40.5 million. The lawsuit prompting the settlement alleged Apria routinely submitted false claims to federal health programs like Medicare and Medicaid to obtain reimbursement for non-invasive Read More
Read MoreVNSNY Reaches $57 Million Settlement in Whistleblower Case
The Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY) announced over the summer it would agree to pay $57 million to settle a whistleblower claim filed by a former executive in 2014. The agreement brought to an end a years-long legal battle and put a spotlight on some home health industry practices that may be dangerous Read More
Read More
