Healthcare Litigation

Published on: November 9, 2015 | by The Health Law Partners

Investigations Mounting Against Widespread Pharmacy Fraud Claims to Military Health Program

The Wall Street Journal has reported that Federal prosecutors are investigating widespread fraud, in at least four states, by compounding pharmacies in claims submitted to TRICARE–the health-insurance program that insures over 9 million U.S. military members (active, guard/reserve and retired) and their families. Some of the allegations include: false billings, physicians writing prescriptions despite not […]

Continue Reading →

Published on: November 4, 2015 | by The Health Law Partners

Congress Considering Additional Legislation to Help Curb Medicare Prescription Drug Abuse

It was just released that Congress is contemplating whether Medicare will be able to restrict at-risk drug abuse beneficiaries to a limited number of pharmacies and providers when they seek narcotics. Currently, Medicaid and the Veterans Affairs (VA) are able to impose these restrictions, but Medicare is not. If successful, this action will help prevent […]

Continue Reading →

Published on: November 3, 2015 | by The Health Law Partners

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General has released their Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2016

The United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) has released its Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2016. This plan summarizes new and continuing areas of review and activities that HHS-OIG plans to pursue as well as describing its primary objectives. The newest additions to the work plan are: • […]

Continue Reading →

Published on: October 27, 2015 | by The Health Law Partners

U.S. Government’s Plan to Hold Individuals Accountable for Corporate Wrongdoing

A top priority of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is battling corporate fraud and now the focus is on holding the individuals who carry out the wrongdoing accountable. The DOJ released a memorandum this month setting forth six key steps that should be taken by federal law enforcement agents in any investigation of corporate misconduct: […]

Continue Reading →

Published on: June 25, 2015 | by The Health Law Partners

United States Supreme Court Rules to Uphold Federal Subsidies Created by the Affordable Care Act

June 25, 2015 On June 18, 2015, the United States Supreme Court decided the case of King, et al. v. Burwell, Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al., upholding federal subsidies for taxpayers who buy health insurance on the federal government’s healthcare.gov webpage. The potential loss of the subsidies was seen by commentators as […]

Continue Reading →

Published on: June 18, 2015 | by The Health Law Partners

U.S. Government Arrests 243 Individuals for Healthcare Fraud Allegations

On June 18, 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) arrested 243 individuals for allegedly participating in Medicare/Medicaid fraud schemes. The government claims that combined, the cases involve $712 million in supposedly false billings. As part of the sweep, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (“CMS”) also suspended a number of providers’ […]

Continue Reading →

Published on: June 8, 2015 | by The Health Law Partners

BILL TO AMEND MICHIGAN NO-FAULT LAW TO CREATE “D-INSURANCE” FOR THE CITY OF DETROIT WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT ON HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

In addition to the proposed amendment to Michigan’s No-Fault Act that is presently on the floor of the State House of Representatives awaiting a second reading, another bill that poses to decrease reimbursements has cleared the Michigan Senate’s Insurance Committee. Senate Bill 288, proposed by Senator Virgil Smith, involves limiting no-fault benefits for injured residents […]

Continue Reading →

Published on: April 27, 2015 | by The Health Law Partners

Bill To Amend Michigan No-Fault Law Could Substantially Decrease Revenue To Healthcare Industry

On Thursday, April 24, 2015, the Michigan House of Representatives’ Insurance Committee passed a bill to reform Michigan’s No-Fault law and sent it to the House floor for a vote. The bill (SB 248) will have significant negative changes for No-Fault reimbursements for health care providers in Michigan. As currently proposed, the bill will cap […]

Continue Reading →

Published on: February 4, 2015 | by The Health Law Partners

Outpatient “Observation” Battle Continues

On January 22, 2015, in the case of Barrows v. Burwell, No. 3:11-cv-1703, 2015 WL 264727 (2nd Cir., January 22, 2015), the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that Medicare beneficiaries be granted the opportunity to demonstrate a Constitutionally-protected property interest to challenge their patient status designations as hospital outpatients rather […]

Continue Reading →

Published on: August 29, 2014 | by The Health Law Partners

BCBSM Places Limits on Quantity of Highly Abused Narcotics

With the fight against prescription drug abuse reaching an all-time high, health insurance plans are now taking a proactive role in attempting to reduce the quantity of some of the most abused drugs in the marketplace. As of September 2, 2014, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) commercial plans (non-Medicare) will implement new quantity […]

Continue Reading →