Approximately ten days after the first federal court decision in the country about mandatory-COVID-19 vaccinations by an employer, Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital (the “Hospital”), 153 of the Hospital’s employees were fired or resigned. On June 12th the court dismissed an action brought by a very small cadre of employees of the Hospital to enjoin
Georgia Nurse Pleads Guilty to Telemedicine Fraud Scheme
A nationwide telemedicine kickback scheme led to fraudulent Medicare reimbursements for durable medical equipment and genetic testing. The full Department of Justice press release can be found here.
Fraudulent Telemedicine Orders
From June 2018 through September 2020, a Georgia Nurse, known as “Nurse Robin,” and her co-conspirators recruited physicians and other medical professionals to
$8 Million Pharmacy Fraud Case Lands 6 Behind Bars
A recent health care fraud conspiracy case resulted in federal prison sentences for six participants, serving as a warning to pharmacy owners and their employees. Read the full Department of Justice Press Release, here.
The Case
Mohamed Abdalla is a licensed pharmacist who owned several pharmacies throughout Northern Virginia, including Medex Health Pharmacy and
Private Practice Can Mean Job Safety for Physicians
More and more physicians are opting to leave private practice (or to skip it altogether) for the perceived job security and hopefully steady paycheck of hospital employment. According to a study conducted by the American Medical Association (AMA) , the number of physicians practicing in private practice is now less than 50%. According to the
Proposed Amendment to NC’s CON Law Would Raise Cost Thresholds, Require Expirations
This post is a courtesy of Fox Rothschild attorney, Marcus C. Hewitt, Esq., and was first published as an Alert on Fox’s website. It is most relevant for health care providers that are based in North Carolina. If you would like more information as to how this issue might affect your facility, please contact
PA Department of Health Proposes Permanent Medical Marijuana Regulations
On March 5, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (the “Department”) proposed permanent regulations relating to medical marijuana, replacing the current temporary regulations at 28 Pa. Code Part IX. The proposed regulations can be accessed here, and the notice regarding the same can be accessed here.
The Proposed Regulations are in substantially the
As Diagnostic Labs Expand COVID Testing, They Must Heed State, Federal Laws and Regulations
In response to the COVID−19 pandemic, clinical laboratories have increased their diagnostic testing capabilities and expanded their business by testing COVID−19 specimens from different states and entering into arrangements to conduct COVID−19 screening for employers. Despite waivers designed to make COVID-19 testing available and accessible on a widespread basis, labs must be careful in expanding
Free Oxygen to COVID-19 Patients Upon Discharge Is Not Without Risk
Fox Rothschild LLP partner, William Maruca, was recently interviewed for an article in Cosmos regarding the regulatory risks to hospitals and DME suppliers who enter into arrangements to ensure that COVID-19 patients receive free home oxygen equipment. Some hospitals have decided to take on the inherent risks in such an arrangement to address a
Provider Relief Fund Reporting Portal Open for Registration Only, New Reporting Guidance Issued
On January 15, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services opened the reporting portal for individuals who had received Provider Relief Funds (PRF) from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The portal is currently open for “registration” only. HHS has not yet set up the reporting portion of the portal
Bah, Humbug! Another Hospital Hit With a FLSA Collective Action On Missed Lunches
This post is a courtesy of Fox Rothschild attorney Mark Tabakman, Esq., and was first published on Fox’s Wage & Hour – Developments and Highlights Blog. It is particularly relevant for health care providers that automatically deduct lunch breaks from their employees’ wages:
The health care industry seems to be ground zero for