Medicare defense attorney | The Health Law Firm Blog

DOJ Files False Claims Suit Against Nursing Homes Over “Substandard Services and Nonexistent” Care

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On June 15, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it has sued three nursing homes in Ohio and Pennsylvania, citing their “grossly substandard skilled nursing services.” The False Claims Act (FCA) complaint against the American Health Foundation (AHF), its affiliate AHF Management Corporation, and three nursing homes alleges the facilities fraudulently billed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for often “nonexistent care.”

According to the complaint, all three AHF nursing homes not only provided substandard nursing home care services that failed to meet required standards of care but also did not maintain adequate staffing levels between 2016 and 2018.

Click here to view the complaint filed by the DOJ in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

FCA Violations For “Substandard or Nonexistent Care.”

The government alleged AHF Management and its entities violated the FCA stemming from reimbursements for “grossly substandard” care provided at the Cheltenham, Wilmington Place, and Samaritan nursing homes.

“The defendants knowingly submitted, or caused the submission of, false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for nursing home care and services that were blatantly substandard or nonexistent,” the complaint read. “The Medicare and Medicaid programs provided reimbursement for the claims, but these payments were by mistake as CMS didn’t know the true and full extent of the defendants’ failure to provide patients with proper treatment and care.”

Alleged Patient Conditions and Mistreatment.

Examples of the appalling conditions described in the complaint included housing elderly and medically vulnerable patients in “pest-infested” buildings whose belongings were often stolen; giving residents unnecessary medications, including antibiotic, anti-psychotic, anti-anxiety, and hypnotic drugs; subjecting residents to verbal abuse; neglecting to provide residents with activities or stimulation, and failing to provide needed psychiatric care.

Additionally, the complaint outlines the suicide of a resident who was admitted with a history of self-harm and was later hospitalized after slashing his wrists but still was not provided psychiatric services. Tragically, just weeks after readmission, the resident committed suicide by hanging himself from a bedsheet in a shower room, justice officials said.

“Nursing homes are expected to provide their residents, which include some of our most vulnerable individuals, with quality care and to treat them with dignity and respect,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the DOJ’s Civil Division in a statement. He continued, “the department will not tolerate nursing homes, or their owners or managing entities, who abdicate these responsibilities and seek taxpayer funds to which they are not entitled.”

To read the DOJ’s press release in full on the case, click here.

The United States’ complaint stems from an investigation that the DOJ initiated as part of its “National Nursing Home Initiative.” The department launched the initiative in March 2020 to identify and investigate nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care.

Click here to learn more about the Justice Department’s nursing home initiative.

The case is United States v. American Health Foundation Inc., case number 2:22-cv-02344, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Handling False Claims Act (FCA) Violations, Investigations, and other Legal Proceedings.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent healthcare providers in defending audits and investigations by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice, The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Florida Department of Health (DOH), Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), state boards of medicine, state boards of pharmacy, and state boards of nursing. They also represent health professionals and providers in administrative litigation (state and federal) and civil litigation (state and federal). They represent physicians, nurses, medical groups, nursing homes, home health agencies, pharmacies, dentists, pharmacies, assisted living facilities, and other healthcare providers and institutions in recovery actions and termination from Medicare and Medicaid Programs.

To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or toll-free at (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

D’Annunzio, P.J. “Feds Hit Nursing Home With FCA Suit Over ‘Nonexistent’ Care.” Law360. (June 15, 2022). Web.

Marceas, Kimberly. ‘Grossly substandard’ care leads to False Claims charges for Ohio-based nursing home operator. McKnights Long Term Care News. (June 16, 2022). Web.

“Nursing Homes Face DOJ False Claims Suit Over Standards of Care.” Bloomberg Law. (June 15, 2022). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law is an attorney with The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2022 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

OIG Exclusion: Do You Know if You’re on the List?

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health La

Have you ever faced a disciplinary action against your professional license? Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense? If yes, then you may have also been terminated from the federal Medicare Program or your state Medicaid Program.

Many health care professionals don’t think about the repercussions that an exclusion action by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) can have on their professional career. Whether you are a physician, nurse, dentist, psychologist or other health professional, if you allow yourself to be excluded from the Medicare Program, devastating economic results may follow.

First, Check the List.

The first step is to check if you are on the federal government’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE). You can check that list here: http://exclusions.oig.hhs.gov/.

Next, to see if you are on Florida’s list of individuals and entities who have been terminated from Florida’s Medicaid Program, click here.

Collateral Consequences to OIG Exclusion or Termination.

Termination or exclusion can have many collateral consequences about which most health care professionals and providers are not aware. These Include:

– Termination for cause from all state Medicaid Programs.

– Loss of state professional licenses in other states and jurisdictions.

– Loss of hospital, ambulatory surgical center (ASC), and nursing home clinical privileges.

– Removal from the provider panels of health insurers.

– Loss of ability to contract or work for any individual or entity that contracts with the Medicare Program in any capacity. This includes physicians, medical groups, hospitals, healthcare systems, ambulatory surgical centers, skilled nursing facilities, health insurance companies, etc.

– Placement on the General Services Administration (GSA) Exclusions List (or “Debarred” List) from government contracting.

– Loss of ability to contract or work for any individual or entity that contracts with the federal government in any capacity.

To learn more on the consequences of being excluded, click here.

You’re On the List, Now What?

So, you just found yourself on a state’s excluded or terminated list or on the federal LEIE, don’t panic! All is not lost. There are ways to become reinstated.

The OIG exclusion list is a complicated regulatory program which requires experience and perseverance to navigate. It is highly recommended that you do not attempt to handle removal without qualified assistance. If your application is denied, even for hyper-technical reasons, you may be barred from reapplying for one full calendar year. Therefore, it is crucial that your application is complete and correct, and you are fully eligible for removal. To read a past blog about reinstatement after OIG removal, click here.

Contact Attorney Experienced in Defending Against Action to Exclude an Individual or Business from the Medicare Program and Assisting in Reinstatement Applications.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm have experience in dealing with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and defending against action to exclude an individual or business entity from the Medicare Program, in administrative hearings on this type of action, in submitting applications requesting reinstatement to the Medicare Program after exclusion, and removal from the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE).

To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

KeyWords: Office of Inspector General, OIG, OIG exclusion list, OIG reinstatement representation, representation for physicians, representation for physician reimbursement, licensure defense attorney, professional license representation, licensure defense representation, representation for health care professionals, investigations analyst, applying for reinstatement, application for reinstatement, Medicare exclusion attorney, OIG hearing, request for reinstatement, removal from list of excluded individuals and entities (LEIE), application to OIG, Medicare reinstatement representation, Medicaid reinstatement representation, healthcare fraud lawyers, Medicare defense attorney, Medicaid defense lawyer, Florida defense attorney, Florida defense lawyer, The Health Law Firm reviews, health law blog, OIG Exclusion, healthcare fraud,

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2018 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:19-04:00December 27, 2018|Categories: The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: Application for Reinstatement, Application to OIG, applying for reinstatement, exclusion list, Florida defense attorney, Florida defense lawyer, healthcare fraud lawyes, investigations analyst, licensure defense attorney, Licensure Defense Representation, Medicaid defense lawyer, Medicaid Reinstatement representation, Medicare defense attorney, Medicare Exclusion attorney, Medicare Reinstatement representation, Office of Inspector General, OIG, OIG exclusion list, OIG Hearing, OIG reinstatement representation, professional license representation, Removal from List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE), representation for health care professionals, representation for physician reimbursement, representation for physicians, Request for Reinstatement, The Health Law Firm reviews|Comments Off

OIG Exclusion: What You Need to Know if You’re on the List

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Have you ever had disciplinary action against your license as a health care professional? Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense? Have you ever been convicted of fraud or patient neglect? If so, then you may have also been terminated or excluded from the federal Medicare Program or your state Medicaid Program.

Many health professionals don’t understand the significant repercussions that an exclusion action by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) can have on their career and employment. Whether you are a physician, nurse, dentist, psychologist or other health professional, if you allow yourself to be excluded from the Medicare Program, devastating economic results may follow.

Check the List.

To check if you are on the federal government’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE), click here.

To see if you are on Florida’s list of individuals and entities who have been terminated from Florida’s Medicaid Program, click here.

Collateral Consequences to OIG Exclusion or Termination.

Termination or exclusion can have many collateral consequences about which most health care providers are not aware. These Include:

– Termination for cause from all state Medicaid Programs.

– Loss of state professional licenses in other states and jurisdictions.

– Loss of hospital, ambulatory surgical center (ASC), and nursing home clinical privileges.

– Removal from the provider panels of health insurers.

– Loss of ability to contract or work for any individual or entity that contracts with the Medicare Program in any capacity (officer agent, shareholder, director, employee or independent contractor, even for non-Medicare products and services such as office supplies, building and construction services, software and systems support, etc.), including physicians, medical groups, hospitals, healthcare systems, ambulatory surgical centers, skilled nursing facilities, health insurance companies, etc.

– Placement on the General Services Administration (GSA) Exclusions List (or “Debarred” List) from government contracting.

– Loss of ability to contract or work for any individual or entity that contracts with the federal government in any capacity (officer agent, shareholder, director, employee or independent contractor, even for such services as construction projects, janitorial contracts, computer equipment and software services, real estate brokers on federally underwritten housing loans, sales of motor vehicles, products and services to the government, etc.

To learn more on the consequences of being excluded, click here.

You’re on the List, Now What?

If you find yourself on a state’s excluded or terminated list or if you find yourself on the federal LEIE, all is not lost. There are ways to become reinstated.

The OIG exclusion list is a complicated regulatory program which requires experience and perseverance to navigate. It is highly recommended that you do not attempt to handle removal without qualified assistance. If your application is denied, even for hyper-technical reasons, you may be barred from reapplying for one full calendar year. Therefore, it is crucial that your application is complete and correct, and you are fully eligible for removal. To read a past blog about reinstatement after OIG removal, click here.

Contact Attorney Experienced in Defending Against Action to Exclude an Individual or Business from the Medicare Program and Assisting in Reinstatement Applications.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm have experience in dealing with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and defending against action to exclude an individual or business entity from the Medicare Program, in administrative hearings on this type of action, in submitting applications requesting reinstatement to the Medicare Program after exclusion, and removal from the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE).

To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

KeyWords: Exclusion list, Office of Inspector General, OIG, OIG exclusion list, OIG reinstatement representation, representation for physicians, representation for physician reimbursement, licensure defense attorney, professional license representation, licensure defense representation, representation for health care professionals, investigations analyst, applying for reinstatement, Application for Reinstatement, Medicare Exclusion attorney, OIG Hearing, Request for Reinstatement, Removal from List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE), Application to OIG, Medicare Reinstatement representation, Medicaid Reinstatement representation, healthcare fraud lawyes, Medicare defense attorney, Medicaid defense lawyer, Florida defense attorney, Florida defense lawyer, The Health Law Firm reviews

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2018 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:21-04:00October 10, 2018|Categories: In the Know, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: Application for Reinstatement, Application to OIG, applying for reinstatement, exclusion list, Florida defense attorney, Florida defense lawyer, healthcare fraud lawyes, investigations analyst, licensure defense attorney, Licensure Defense Representation, Medicaid defense lawyer, Medicaid Reinstatement representation, Medicare defense attorney, Medicare Exclusion attorney, Medicare Reinstatement representation, Office of Inspector General, OIG, OIG exclusion list, OIG Hearing, OIG reinstatement representation, professional license representation, Removal from List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE), representation for health care professionals, representation for physician reimbursement, representation for physicians, Request for Reinstatement, The Health Law Firm reviews|1 Comment

Tennessee-Based Nursing Care Company Being Investigated for Medicare Fraud

By Danielle M. Murray, J.D.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is investigating a Tennessee-based nursing care company. The company runs more than 200 skilled nursing homes (SNFs), assisted living facilities (ALFs), retirement living communities, home care services, and Alzheimer’s centers across the country. The nursing care company is accused of defrauding Medicare of millions of dollars for unnecessary and expensive therapy treatments from 2006 to 2011, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Click here to read the entire article from the Wall Street Journal.

Therapists Allegedly Encouraged to Perform Unnecessary and Costly Treatments.

According to the federal complaint, the nursing care company is accused of encouraging its employed therapists to perform unnecessary and expensive therapy treatments that were billed to Medicare. The document mentioned specific cases of patients who allegedly didn’t need therapy or could have been harmed by it, but received it anyway.

In addition to Medicare, Tricare was also allegedly billed for high-priced nursing care performed at facilities that are affiliated with the nursing care company.

Company Denies Fraud Accusations.

Representatives from the nursing care company posted an open letter on its website. It calls the lawsuit an attempt by the federal government to target companies that provide rehabilitation therapy services. It also denies the allegations of fraudulent billing.

Click here to read the entire letter.

Two Former Employees File Similar Cases Against Nursing Care Company.

Two former employees filed separate cases against the nursing care company, according to a Times Free Press article. In 2008, a former staff development coordinator working in Tennessee filed a complaint alleging Medicare fraud. In the same year, a former occupational therapist who had worked for the company in Florida, made similar complaints. The government decided to combine their lawsuits and is currently investigating. Be sure to check this blog in the future for updates to this story.

To read the Times Free Press article, click here.

More on Medicare and Medicaid Audits.

The Health Law Firm’s President and Managing Partner George F. Indest III wrote a two-part blog on the increased number of Medicare and Medicaid audits being initiated against health professionals who treat assisted living facility (ALF) and SNF residents. Most often these are audits by the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), because this area of medical practice has been identified as one fraught with fraud and abuse. To learn more on the areas being targeted and how to respond to different types of audits, click here for the first blog and here for the second.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced with Medicaid and Medicare Qui Tam or Whistleblower Cases.
In addition to our other experience in Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare cases, attorneys with The Health Law Firm also represent health care professionals and health facilities in qui tam or whistleblower cases. We have developed relationships with recognized experts in health care accounting, health care financing, utilization review, medical review, filling, coding, and other services that assist us in such matters.

To learn more on our experience with Medicaid and Medicare quit tam or whistleblower cases, visit our website. To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Comments?

Do nursing care companies need stricter oversight? Have you noticed an increase in Medicare or Medicaid audits in your practice area? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.

Sources:

Burton, Thomas. “Medicare Fraud is Charged.” Wall Street Journal. (December 3, 2012). From: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323717004578157640024945594.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Harrison, Kate and South, Todd. “Probe Reveals Claims of Unnecessary Therapies at Cleveland-based Life Care Centers.” Times Free Press. (December 16, 2012). From: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/dec/16/dying-patients-unneeded-therapy-life-care-center/?print

Life Care Centers of America. “Open Letter to Life Care Associates and Medical Professionals.” Life Care Centers of America. (November 30, 2012). From: http://lcca.com/openletter/

About the Author: Danielle M. Murray is an attorney with The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999. Copyright © 1996-2012 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

CMS Fights Medicare Fraud With Ban on New Home Health Agencies and Ambulance Suppliers in Three Cities

By Lance O. Leider, J.D., The Health Law Firm and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will temporarily ban new home health providers and ambulance suppliers from enrolling in Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in three fraud “hot spots.” According to CMS, the six-month moratorium begins July 30, 2013. It applies to newly enrolling home health agencies (HHAs) in Miami, Florida, and Chicago, Illinois. It also applies to newly enrolling ambulance suppliers in Houston, Texas. Existing providers and suppliers can continue to deliver and bill for services. The goal of the ban is to fight healthcare fraud.

Click here to read the press release from CMS.

Authority to impose a moratorium was included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). According to a summary of the anti-fraud provisions in the Affordable Care Act, the Act allows CMS to prohibit new providers from joining the program where necessary to prevent or fight fraud, waste or abuse in certain geographic areas or for certain categories of services. This is the first time CMS is exercising its authority.

Why Moratorium Was Imposed in These Areas.

According to CMS, the decision to impose the moratorium was based on a number of factors, including a disproportional number of providers and suppliers relative to beneficiaries, a quick increase in enrollment applications from providers and suppliers, and extremely high utilization in these areas.

Miami Area a Hot Bed for Healthcare Fraud and Abuse.

The Miami area has stood out as one of the nation’s hubs of Medicare fraud, according to CMS. For example, in May 2013, a Miami patient recruiter for an HHA was sentenced to 37 months in prison for participating in a $20 million Medicare fraud scheme. Click here to read a previous blog. In that same month, workers from a Miami-area HHA were accused of bribing Medicare beneficiaries for their Medicare information, which was used to bill for home health services that were never rendered or not medically necessary. To read more, click here.

According to the Miami Herald, with a large number of elderly Medicare beneficiaries living in Miami, it’s not a surprise that healthcare fraud is so prevalent. South Florida allegedly accounts for one-third (1/3) of all healthcare fraud prosecutions in the nation. Click here to read the entire Miami Herald article.

The Affordable Care Act Offers the Government New Tools to Fight Healthcare Fraud.

In 2011 and 2012, the government reported recovery of $14.9 billion in healthcare fraud judgments, settlements and administrative impositions, according to CMS. In addition, CMS has revoked 14,663 providers and suppliers’ ability to bill the Medicare Program since 2011. The Affordable Care Act seeks to improve anti-fraud and abuse measures by focusing on prevention rather than the traditional “pay-and-chase” model of catching crooks after they have committed fraud. Click here to read a blog on the Affordable Care Act’s other fraud fighting tools.

What This Means for Health Care Professionals and Providers.

By knowing the government is beefing up measures to fight healthcare fraud, providers can attempt to avoid practices that are likely to lead to Zone Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC) or Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) audits. Additionally, a provider can be prepared for potential audits by increasing its documentation and compliance efforts.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late; Consult with a Health Law Attorney Experienced in Medicare and Medicaid Issues Now.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent healthcare providers in Medicare audits, ZPIC audits and RAC audits throughout Florida and across the U.S. They also represent physicians, medical groups, nursing homes, home health agencies, pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers and institutions in Medicare and Medicaid investigations, audits, recovery actions and termination from the Medicare or Medicaid Program.
For more information please visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com or call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001.

Comments?

What do you think of CMS’ decision to invoke the moratorium? Do you think this should have been done sooner? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.

Sources:

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “CMS Imposes First Affordable Care Act Enrollment Moratoria to Combat Fraud.” CMS.gov. (July 26, 2013). From: http://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Press-Releases/2013-Press-Releases-Items/2013-07-26.html

Chang, Daniel. “Feds Ban New Home Healthcare Agencies in Miami to Fight Medicare Fraud.” Miami Herald. (July 26, 2013). From: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/07/26/3524612/feds-ban-new-home-healthcare-agencies.html

Beasley, Deena. “U.S. Bans New Home Health, Ambulance Providers in Three Regions.” Miami Herald. (July 26, 2013). From: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/26/us-medicare-moratoria-idUSBRE96P14P20130726

About the Authors: Lance O. Leider is an attorney with The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 1996-2012 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:51-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: Affordable Care Act, In the Know, In the News, Medicare, Medicare Fraud, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: ambulance providers, ban on ambulance providers, ban on home health agencies, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Chicago, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), defense lawyer, healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud hot spots, HHA fraud, home health agencies (HHAs), home health agency (HHA), Houston, medicaid, medicare, Medicare abuse, Medicare defense, Medicare defense attorney, Medicare defense lawyer, Medicare fraud, Medicare schemes, Miami, moratoria, moratorium, RAC audits defense attorney, Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC), the health law firm, Zone Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC), zpic audit|Comments Off

Pediatricians Who Are Targets of Medicaid Audits Should Request Hearings on the Final Audit Report Results

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

We have recently been contacted by several pediatric practices that were subject to Medicaid audits. In several cases, the pediatricians received the final audit reports (FARs) stating that they owed Medicaid refunds, because of overbillings, in the tens of thousands of dollars.

With such demands for repayment of the alleged overpayments also come:

1. Fines;
2. Penalties;
3. Requirements to sign agreements to refrain from such practices in the future;
4. Requirements to have personnel retrained; and
5. The specter of future audits.

In many cases, Medicare and Medicaid auditors may swiftly review supporting medical records and overlook key components that support the level of services (or CPT codes) that were billed, erroneously downgrading the code or disallowing the charge completely. Other times the pediatric or medical practice may have only provided partial records and have left out some key records that would support the codes billed.

Challenging the Determination.

Unfortunately, after receipt of the FAR, the only hope of challenging the determination would come by filing a written request or petition for a formal hearing in, specifically, a Medicaid case. In Medicare cases, other interim reviews or appeals are available.

If you have additional records you failed to provide, or if after a thorough review of the records you did provide show that all of the elements of a CPT code you billed (e.g., 99204 or 99205) were documented, then we recommend that you immediately retain the services of a board certified health lawyer experienced with Medicare and Medicaid audits to file a petition for you. Be sure a written request or petition for a formal hearing is filed within the time stated in the letter you receive, even if you must retain an attorney afterwards. Remember that the request must be in writing and must be received by the agency at the address specified before the date in the letter has passed.

You can always work out a settlement agreement, repayment agreement, or agreement for a different resolution of the situation. What you can’t do is to go back and get back your hearing rights after they have expired.

Steps to Take if you Receive Notice of an Audit.

What you should do immediately upon receiving notice of an audit:

1. Retain the services of a board certified health lawyer who is experienced with such audits.

2. In a timely manner, provide all relevant documents pertaining to the audit, properly labeled and pages numbered (note: in many instances, this may include more than just the minimum documents the audit requested).

3. Watch for any interim, initial or preliminary audit reports (PARs), and be prepared to rebut it in detail if it requests a refund.

4. If you receive a FAR demanding a repayment, be prepared to hire a board certified health lawyer who is experienced with such audits, if you have not already done so.

5. If you disagree with the findings in the FAR, be sure the agency receives your request for a formal hearing to challenge the determination, prior to the date given in the FAR or demand letter.

For additional details, pointers and tips on this subject you may click here to read the prior blog we have published.

For information, details, pointers and tips on the subject of Medicare audits, you may click here to read the prior blog we have published on this.

Comments?

Do you know what to do if you are the target of a Medicaid audit? Did you know about requesting a hearing on the final audit report results? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced with Medicare and Medicaid Cases.

Attorneys with The Health Law Firm represent physicians, medical groups, nursing homes, home health agencies, pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers and institutions in Medicare and Medicaid investigations, audits, recovery actions and termination from the Medicare or Medicaid Program. We also handle Medicare audits, ZPIC audits and RAC audits throughout Florida and across the U.S.

Our attorneys also represent health care professionals and health facilities in qui tam or whistleblower cases both in defending such claims and in bringing such claims. We have developed relationships with recognized experts in health care accounting, health care financing, utilization review, medical review, filling, coding, and other services that assist us in such matters. We have represented doctors, nurses and others as relators in bringing qui tam or whistleblower cases, as well.

To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:57-04:00June 1, 2018|Categories: In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|Tags: audit of a doctor, audit of a physician, audits of medical records, CPT codes, defense attorney, defense lawyer, doctor, FAR, final audit report, formal hearing, health law firm, medicaid, medicaid audit, Medicaid defense attorney, medical record reviews, medical records, medicare, Medicare audits, Medicare defense attorney, notice of an audit, PAR, pediatrician, petition for a formal hearing, physician, preliminary audit report, repayment agreement, repayment demand, settlement agreement, the health law firm, what do I do if I am being audited|Comments Off

Trump Administration Reverses Guidelines for Penalties Against Nursing Homes

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The Trump administration is actively reversing nursing home guidelines previously put in place under President Barack Obama. The current administration is scaling back the use of fines against nursing homes that harm residents or place them in grave risk of injury.

The change in the Medicare program’s penalty protocols was requested by the nursing home industry. The American Health Care Association (AHCA) has complained that under President Obama, inspectors focused excessively on catching wrongdoing rather than helping nursing homes improve or prevent them.

Serious Violations.

Since 2013, federal records show that nearly 6,500 nursing homes have been cited at least once for a serious violation. Common citations include failing to protect residents from avoidable accidents, neglect, mistreatment and bedsores.

In 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) discouraged its offices from imposing fines, even in the most serious health violations, if the error was a “one-time mistake.”

According to Dr. Kate Goodrich, director of clinical standards and quality at CMS, unnecessary regulation was the main concern that health care providers raised with officials. “Rather than spending quality time with their patients, the providers are spending time complying with regulations that get in the way of caring for their patients and doesn’t increase the quality of care they provide,” Goodrich said.

Serious Penalties.

Medicare has various ways of applying penalties. It can impose a specific fine for a particular violation. It can assess a fine for each day that a nursing home was in violation. It can deny payments for new admissions.

The average fine in recent years has been $33,453., but 531 nursing homes amassed combined federal fines above $100,000., records show. In 2016, Congress increased the fines to factor in several years of inflation that had not been accounted for previously.

Dr. David Gifford, AHCA’s senior vice president for quality, said daily fines were intended to prompt quick remedies but were pointless when applied to past errors that had already been fixed by the time inspectors discovered them.

The change in policy aligns with Trump’s promise to reduce bureaucracy, regulation and government intervention in business.

In November 2017, CMS terminated a Florida Nursing from the Medicare program home after 14 patients died during a hurricane. You can learn more about this incident and CMS sanctions by clicking the link above.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late; Consult with a Health Law Attorney Experienced in Medicare and Medicaid Issues Now.

If you receive any notice related to any audit, overpayment or action to terminate you or your company, take immediate action. The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent healthcare providers in Medicare audits, ZPIC audits and RAC audits throughout Florida and across the U.S. They also represent physicians, medical groups, nursing homes, home health agencies, pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers and institutions in Medicare and Medicaid investigations, audits, recovery actions and termination from the Medicare or Medicaid Program.

We also represent physicians, medical groups, pharmacies. health facilities and therapists in notices of termination of Medicare billing privileges, corrective action plans (CAPs), OIG exclusion hearings, Medicaid hearings and applications for removal from the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE).

For more information please visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com or call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001.

Sources:

Rau, Jordan. “Trump Administration Relaxes Financial Penalties Against Nursing Homes.” Kaiser Health News (KHN). (December 31, 2017). Web.

“Trump Administration Relaxes Financial Penalties Against Nursing Homes.” The Washington Post. (December 31, 2017). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

KeyWords: Legal representation for Medicare investigations, legal representation for Medicare exclusion, Medicare attorney, Medicare defense attorney, OIG exclusion, legal representation for nursing home compliance, legal representation for nursing home regulations, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), legal representation for CMS investigations, legal representation for Medicare providers, nursing facility license defense, legal attorney for health facilities, nursing home and skilled nursing facility (SNF) defense attorney, nursing home and skilled nursing facility (SNF) defense lawyer, nursing home and skilled nursing facility (SNF) defense legal counsel, CMS termination of Medicare provider status, legal representation for Medicare reinstatement, legal representation for AHCA investigations and surveys, legal representation for health care compliance, legal representation for health care professionals, health law defense attorney, The Health Law Firm, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews, formal and informal administrative hearing defense attorney, formal and informal administrative hearing defense lawyer, formal and informal administrative hearing defense legal counsel

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2018 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

CMS Drops Florida Nursing Home From Medicare Program After 14 Patients Died During Storm

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On October 12, 2017, federal health officials announced they are dropping a Florida nursing home from the Medicare program after 14 patients died allegedly as a result of the Hurricane Irma emergency. On Sept. 13, 2017, eight residents died and the others were evacuated from the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills after the facility lost air conditioning. Six more have since died, which attorneys say was a result of the conditions and evacuations immediately after the storm.

CMS Sanctions.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said in a statement that the facility will be terminated “due to their [sic] failure to meet Medicare’s basic health and safety requirements.” CMS also imposed a penalty of $20,965 a day for the three days that Hollywood Hills lost power to its air conditioning unit.

Under the CMS sanctions, Medicare will continue to pay the Hollywood Hills center through November 12, 2017, for any care that was provided to residents before the evacuation and closure.

This incident is what allegedly prompted Florida Governor Rick Scott to impose emergency rules requiring all nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in Florida (over 3,000 facilities) to have emergency power generators and fuel installed within 60 days to keep their residents air conditioned for up to 96 hours during a power failure. To read more on the emergency rule, click here.

Despite all this, the rehabilitation center has not given up hope on reopening. A spokeswoman for Hollywood Hills said they’ll appeal the decision and look forward to showing evidence that their actions were consistent with all state and federal rules.

To learn more about CMS’s authority to suspend or terminate Medicare to providers, click here to read one of my prior blogs.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late; Consult with a Health Law Attorney Experienced in Medicare and Medicaid Issues Now.

If you receive any notice related to any audit, overpayment or action to terminate you or your company, take immediate action. The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent healthcare providers in Medicare audits, ZPIC audits and RAC audits throughout Florida and across the U.S. They also represent physicians, medical groups, nursing homes, home health agencies, pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers and institutions in Medicare and Medicaid investigations, audits, recovery actions and termination from the Medicare or Medicaid Program.

We also represent physicians, medical groups, pharmacies. health facilities and therapists in notices of termination of Medicare billing privileges, corrective action plans (CAPs), OIG exclusion hearings, Medicaid hearings and applications for removal from the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE).

For more information please visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com or call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001.

Sources:

Chang, Daniel. “Feds to cut Medicare for Hollywood Hills nursing home after residents died.” Miami Herald. (October 12, 2017). Web.

“Florida nursing home where 14 died cut from Medicare program.” Associated Press. (October 12, 2017). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

KeyWords: Legal representation for Medicare investigations, legal representation for Medicare exclusion, Medicare attorney, Medicare defense attorney, OIG exclusion, legal representation for nursing home compliance, legal representation for nursing home regulations, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), legal representation for CMS investigations, legal representation for Medicare providers, nursing facility license defense, legal attorney for health facilities, CMS termination of Medicare provider status, legal representation for Medicare reinstatement, legal representation for health care compliance, legal representation for health care professionals, health law defense attorney, The Health Law Firm, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2017 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

Whistleblower Case Against Tennessee-Based Nursing Care Company

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is investigating a Tennessee-based nursing care company. The company runs more than 200 skilled nursing homes (SNFs), assisted living facilities (ALFs), retirement living communities, home care services, and Alzheimer’s centers across the country. The nursing care company is accused of defrauding Medicare of millions of dollars for unnecessary and expensive therapy treatments from 2006 to 2011, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Click here to read the entire article from the Wall Street Journal.

Nursing Care Company Allegedly Overbilled Medicare and Tricare.

According to the federal complaint, the nursing care company is accused of encouraging its employed therapists to perform unnecessary and expensive therapy treatments that were billed to Medicare. The document mentioned specific cases of patients who allegedly didn’t need therapy or could have been harmed by it, but received it anyway.

In addition to Medicare, Tricare was also allegedly billed for high-priced nursing care performed at facilities that are affiliated with the nursing care company.

Letter on Company’s Website Defends Billing Methods.

Representatives from the nursing care company posted an open letter on its website. It calls the lawsuit an attempt by the federal government to target companies that provide rehabilitation therapy services. It also denies the allegations of fraudulent billing.

Click here to read the entire letter.

Whistleblowers Cry Foul.

Two former employees filed separate cases against the nursing care company, according to a Times Free Press article. In 2008, a former staff development coordinator working in Tennessee filed a complaint alleging Medicare fraud. In the same year, a former occupational therapist who had worked for the company in Florida, made similar complaints. The government decided to combine their lawsuits and is currently investigating. Be sure to check this blog in the future for updates to this story.

To read the Times Free Press article, click here.

More Medicare and Medicaid Audits May Be Coming to Health Professionals.

The Health Law Firm’s President and Managing Partner George F. Indest III wrote a two-part blog on the increased number of Medicare and Medicaid audits being initiated against health professionals who treat assisted living facility (ALF) and SNF residents. Most often these are audits by the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), because this area of medical practice has been identified as one fraught with fraud and abuse. To learn more on the areas being targeted and how to respond to different types of audits, click here for the first blog and here for the second.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced with Medicaid and Medicare Qui Tam or Whistleblower Cases.

In addition to our other experience in Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare cases, attorneys with The Health Law Firm also represent health care professionals and health facilities in qui tam or whistleblower cases. We have developed relationships with recognized experts in health care accounting, health care financing, utilization review, medical review, filling, coding, and other services that assist us in such matters.

To learn more on our experience with Medicaid and Medicare quit tam or whistleblower cases, visit our website. To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Comments?

Do nursing care companies need stricter oversight? Have you noticed an increase in Medicare or Medicaid audits in your practice area? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.

Sources:

Burton, Thomas. “Medicare Fraud is Charged.” Wall Street Journal. (December 3, 2012). From: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323717004578157640024945594.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Harrison, Kate and South, Todd. “Probe Reveals Claims of Unnecessary Therapies at Cleveland-based Life Care Centers.” Times Free Press. (December 16, 2012). From: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/dec/16/dying-patients-unneeded-therapy-life-care-center/?print

Life Care Centers of America. “Open Letter to Life Care Associates and Medical Professionals.” Life Care Centers of America. (November 30, 2012). From: http://lcca.com/openletter/

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2019 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:57-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: ALFs, Medicare Fraud, Nursing Law Blog|Tags: false records, false statements, legal representation, medicare, medicare audit, Medicare defense attorney, Medicare defense lawyers, Medicare fraud, nursing care company, nursing home, Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), qui tam suits, skilled nursing facility, TRICARE, Tricare audit, Tricare fraud, unnecessary treatment, whistleblower, whistleblower protection|Comments Off