Jan 29, 2018 | Health Care
In 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights (“OCR”) continued its HIPAA enforcement efforts, resulting in over $19,393,000 in settlements and civil monetary penalties. OCR investigations focused on various issues, including...
Dec 27, 2017 | Medicare and Medicaid
On December 8, 2017, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG) issued Advisory Opinion 17-08, in which it concluded that certain arrangements for nursing home discounts do not violate the federal Anti-Kickback...
Dec 27, 2017 | False Claims Act
On December 6, 2017, U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr. (Southern District of New York) held that a False Claims Act (FCA) whistleblower could not name his boss as an individual defendant in a suit alleging unlawful retaliation. The plaintiff, Gerard Diffley,...
Nov 28, 2017 | Health Care
On October 13, 2017, W. Stephen Muldrow, the Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, announced that First Coast Cardiovascular Institute (FCCI) agreed to pay $448,821.58 to settle allegations that it knowingly delayed repayment of over...
Nov 28, 2017 | Employment Law
On November 16, 2017, U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon, of the Western District of Pennsylvania, issued an order finding that a Pennsylvania Health Clinic is liable for $55,000 in back pay, compensatory damages, and punitive damages to a former employee who alleged...
