Posts Tagged ‘healthcare fraud investigation’
DOJ Launches Task Force Targeting COVID-19 Relief Fraud
Healthcare has always been ripe for fraud, so it’s no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic created a wellspring of opportunities for those looking to make money off a tragedy. But getting away with it likely will become a lot harder, thanks to the creation of the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force. Launched in May by…
Read MoreA September to Remember for Healthcare Fraud
Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Crackdown Not Slowing as Evidenced by Recent Cases
The federal government has been busy since the beginning of the year announcing arrests, convictions and settlements relating to healthcare fraud and abuse. The activities relate to violations of the Stark Law, anti-kickback law and federal False Claims Act, and there appears to be no end in sight. Whether it’s home health, transportation, durable medical…
Read MoreGovernment recovers $1.9 billion in healthcare fraud judgments and settlements in FY 2015
A newly released report by the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program (HCFAC) shows that the federal government won or negotiated more than $1.9 billion in healthcare fraud judgments and settlements in fiscal year 2015. As a result of these efforts, as well as those of preceding years, in fiscal year 2015, approximately $2.4…
Read MoreLessons learned from whistleblower FCA case against cancer treatment company
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that 21st Century Oncology and its wholly owned subsidiary, South Florida Radiation Oncology LLC, agreed to settle False Claims Act allegations relating to billing for procedures that were medically unnecessary. Specifically, the Fort Myers, Florida-based company was alleged to have billed for performing the Gamma function…
Read MoreSocial media posts can be used to detect healthcare fraud
In George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, citizens of Oceania, a totalitarian state, are under surveillance at all times and constantly reminded that Big Brother is watching them. Today, with the advancement of digital technologies – from cameras on the street and in stores, to cookies gathered from the Internet – most of us are being watched…
Read MoreHealthcare executives on notice, DOJ cracking down on individuals for corporate misconduct
The federal government has taken a tough stance on healthcare fraud for many years. For the most part, companies caught up in the net have responded by paying huge fines and promising not to engage in fraudulent activities again. Despite the billions of dollars paid out, corporate fraud persists. Now, the feds are turning up…
Read MoreFederal prosecutors increasingly target individual healthcare execs in anti-fraud efforts
Last month’s sentencing of the former president and CEO of OtisMed Corporation to two years in prison should serve as yet another example that federal prosecutors are not holding back when it comes to holding corporate executives accountable. Charlie Chi was sentenced for intentionally distributing a medical device used in knee replacement surgery despite the…
Read MoreOIG cracking down on medical director compensation
If you are thinking of taking on medical director responsibilities, or you are a medical director, there are some things you need to know to ensure that you do not run afoul of kickback laws. On June 9, the OIG issued a fraud alert noting that physicians who enter into compensation arrangements, such as medical…
Read MoreWhat happens if you become the target of a healthcare fraud investigation?
No healthcare provider wants to become the target of a healthcare fraud investigation. But, as we have seen, it happens more often than we would like to think. Not only does a healthcare fraud investigation come with the potential for criminal penalties, but the state also can impose harsh consequences resulting in the loss of…
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