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Centene Will Pay $19 Million to Washington State For Medicaid Fraud Allegations

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

On August 24, 2022, managed healthcare company, Centene Corporation, agreed to pay $19 million to the State of Washington to settle fraud allegations. Centene owns and operates Sunshine State Health Plan, d/b/a Sunshine Health, in Florida. In addition, it has been reported that Centene/Sunshine Health reportedly has over $31 billion in contracts with the state of Florida alone. Click here to learn more.

The agreement with Washington State resolves allegations that it overcharged its Medicaid program for pharmacy benefit management services, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced in a press release.

Under the deal, in addition to the $19 million payment to Washington State, the federal government will receive $13.3 million related to the settlement, according to the Attorney General’s […]

When the DEA Comes Knocking: 15 Tips For a “Routine” DEA Inspection

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

As the United States continues to open back up from the COVID-19 shutdown, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is resuming on-site routine inspections. Therefore, healthcare professionals must ensure compliance and regulatory efforts are in place.

This is part 1 of a 2-part blog series. Check back for part 2 of this blog series soon!

DEA Inspections and Site Visits: Subpoenas.

DEA agents are often pushy, demanding, and intimidating. They will try to use subpoenas (which are merely requests for documents that afford you at least ten days to produce the requested documents) as search warrants. THEY ARE NOT. They will try to use an administrative subpoena to obtain documents and get your testimony immediately. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PRODUCE THEM RIGHT AWAY. A copy of a […]

Pharmacy Technicians Allowed to Administer Immunizations After New Florida Legislation

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

On July 1, 2022, Florida passed HB 1209, allowing registered pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations to patients. The new law utilizes pharmacy technicians to seek certification to provide immunizations and become “Certified Registered Pharmacy Technicians.” These pharmacy technicians will then be allowed to administer all vaccines listed by the CDC in the Adult Immunization Schedule or recommended by the CDC for international travel. Additionally, it includes vaccines authorized by the FDA under an emergency use authorization or by the Florida Board of Pharmacy in response to a state of emergency declared by the Governor.

This is a big step in medicine, once again broadening the ability of health professionals to provide more efficient and less expensive health care. In the past, properly qualified pharmacists […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:12-04:00February 12, 2024|Categories: Nursing Law Blog|Tags: administrative hearing defense attorney, Department of Health investigation representation, DOH defense attorney, DOH investigation lawyer, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) audit lawyer, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hearing defense attorney, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) order to show cause (OSC) defense lawyer, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) search warrant defense lawyer, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) subpoena defnse attorney, Florida Louisiana District of Columbia (D.C.) board of pharmacy defense lawyer, Florida Louisiana District of Columbia (D.C.) Board of Pharmacy defense representation, Florida Louisiana District of Columbia (D.C.) board of pharmacy hearing legal representation, Florida Louisiana District of Columbia (D.C.) board of pharmacy investigation legal defense representation, Florida Louisiana District of Columbia (D.C.) pharmacist license disciplinary charges defense attorney, legal defense representation for administrative hearings, legal representation for DOH investigations, legal representation for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) order to show cause (OSC) hearing, legal representation for pharmacies, legal representation in Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hearing, pharmacist defense lawyer for Florida Louisiana District of Columbia (D.C.), pharmacy complaint investigation defense attorney, reviews of The Health Law Firm, the health law firm, The Health Law Firm attorney|Comments Off

Florid Man Strikes Again–Government Asks for Life Sentence for Florida Man in $187M Medicare Fraud Case

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

On August 12, 2023, federal prosecutors recommended a life sentence for the Florida ex-CEO of a laboratory company who had been found guilty of fraudulently billing Medicare over one hundred million dollars. At the December 2022 trial of the Florida man, the jury convicted the Florida Man of all ten counts against him, including health care fraud, payment of kickbacks, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was ordered to pay $187 million in restitution.

I have to say it. They need to lock up that Florida man once and for all! I see his wanton actions all over Florida, reported time and time again. Now that Tim Dorsey is deceased (bless his Florida soul) we don’t […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:12-04:00February 8, 2024|Categories: Mental Health Law Blog|Tags: AKS defense attorney, AKS lawyer, AKS representation, Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) defense legal representation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) defense attorney, CMS defense attorney, CMS legal defense lawyer, CMS legal defense representation, healthcare fraud defense attorney, healthcare fraud defense lawyer, Healthcare fraud defense lawyer near me, Healthcare fraud legal defense representation, Legal defense representation for healthcare fraud investigations and audits, legal representation for CMS investigation, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) defense legal representation, Medicaid audit defense attorney, Medicaid audit defense lawyer, Medicaid audit defense legal representation, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) defense attorney, medical fraud defense lawyer, Medicare audit defense attorney, Medicare audit defense lawyer, Medicare audit defense legal representation, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews|Comments Off

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Says Serial Killer Cannot Sue Psychiatrist for Medical Malpractice

By: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law and Hartley Brooks, Law Clerk, The Health Law Firm

On November 22, 2023, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania unanimously decided that a serial killer cannot sue his psychiatrist for gross negligence because the action is barred by the Pennsylvania state law that prohibits criminals from benefitting from their crimes.

The Murderer’s Mental Health History.

In February 2016, Cosmo DiNardo was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder. Three months later, DiNardo was in an ATV accident in which he sustained head injuries. His mother reported that he began acting bizarrely a month after the accident. Additionally, DiNardo was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He was prescribed strong antidepressants and antipsychotics.

DiNardo also had a violent history. During his institutionalizations, he […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:12-04:00February 6, 2024|Categories: Mental Health Law Blog|Tags: board of medicine hearing defense attorney, board of mental health counseling defense lawyer, board of psychology defense legal representation, Board of Psychology legal representation, defense lawyer for counselors and psychotherapists, Defense lawyer for psychiatrist near me, department of health (DOH) defense attorney, department of health complaint investigation defense counsel, HPSO Insurance defense attorney near me, informal hearing defense lawyer, legal representation for psychiatrists psychologists counsleors, licensed professional counselor (LPC) defense attorney, licensed professional counselor (LPC) legal representation, mental health counselor legal representation, psychotherapist defense attorney near me, representation for administrative complaint hearings, representation for board of mental health investigations, representation for Department of Health (DOH) complaint investigations, representation for psychiatric nurse practitioners, reviews of The Health Law Firm, subpoena defense lawyer for counselor or psychotherapist, subpoena for psychotherapy patient health records attorney, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews|Comments Off

Centene Will Pay $19 Million Settlement to Washington State For Medicaid Fraud Allegations

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

On August 24, 2022, managed healthcare company, Centene Corporation, agreed to pay $19 million to the State of Washington to settle fraud allegations. Centene owns and operates Sunshine State Health Plan, d/b/a Sunshine Health, in Florida. In addition, it has been reported that Centene/Sunshine Health reportedly has over $31 billion in contracts with the state of Florida alone. Click here to learn more.

The agreement with Washington State resolves allegations that it overcharged its Medicaid program for pharmacy benefit management services, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced in a press release.

Under the deal, in addition to the $19 million payment to Washington State, the federal government will receive $13.3 million related to the settlement, according to the Attorney General’s […]

Florida Passes New Legislation That Allows Pharmacy Technicians to Administer Immunizations

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

On July 1, 2022, Florida passed HB 1209, allowing registered pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations to patients. The new law utilizes pharmacy technicians to seek certification to provide immunizations and become “Certified Registered Pharmacy Technicians.” These pharmacy technicians will then be allowed to administer all vaccines listed by the CDC in the Adult Immunization Schedule or recommended by the CDC for international travel. Additionally, it includes vaccines authorized by the FDA under an emergency use authorization or by the Florida Board of Pharmacy in response to a state of emergency declared by the Governor.

This is a big step in medicine, once again broadening the ability of health professionals to provide more efficient and less expensive health care. In the past, properly qualified pharmacists […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:13-04:00January 22, 2024|Categories: Health Facilities Law Blog|Tags: administrative hearing defense attorney, Department of Health investigation representation, DOH defense attorney, DOH investigation lawyer, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) audit lawyer, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hearing defense attorney, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) order to show cause (OSC) defense lawyer, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) search warrant defense lawyer, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) subpoena defnse attorney, Florida Louisiana District of Columbia (D.C.) board of pharmacy defense lawyer, Florida Louisiana District of Columbia (D.C.) Board of Pharmacy defense representation, Florida Louisiana District of Columbia (D.C.) board of pharmacy hearing legal representation, Florida Louisiana District of Columbia (D.C.) board of pharmacy investigation legal defense representation, Florida Louisiana District of Columbia (D.C.) pharmacist license disciplinary charges defense attorney, legal defense representation for administrative hearings, legal representation for DOH investigations, legal representation for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) order to show cause (OSC) hearing, legal representation for pharmacies, legal representation in Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hearing, pharmacist defense lawyer for Florida Louisiana District of Columbia (D.C.), pharmacy complaint investigation defense attorney, reviews of The Health Law Firm, the health law firm, The Health Law Firm attorney|Comments Off

Florid Man Strikes Again: Government Asks for Life Sentence for Florida Man in $187M Medicare Fraud Case

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

On August 12, 2023, federal prosecutors recommended a life sentence for the Florida ex-CEO of a laboratory company who had been found guilty of fraudulently billing Medicare over one hundred million dollars. At the December 2022 trial of the Florida man, the jury convicted the Florida Man of all ten counts against him, including health care fraud, payment of kickbacks, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was ordered to pay $187 million in restitution.

I have to say it. They need to lock up that Florida man once and for all! I see his wanton actions all over Florida, reported time and time again. Now that Tim Dorsey is deceased (bless his Florida soul) we don’t […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:13-04:00January 18, 2024|Categories: Health Facilities Law Blog|Tags: AKS defense attorney, AKS lawyer, AKS representation, Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) defense legal representation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) defense attorney, CMS defense attorney, CMS legal defense lawyer, CMS legal defense representation, healthcare fraud defense attorney, healthcare fraud defense lawyer, Healthcare fraud defense lawyer near me, Healthcare fraud legal defense representation, Legal defense representation for healthcare fraud investigations and audits, legal representation for CMS investigation, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) defense legal representation, Medicaid audit defense attorney, Medicaid audit defense lawyer, Medicaid audit defense legal representation, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) defense attorney, medical fraud defense lawyer, Medicare audit defense attorney, Medicare audit defense lawyer, Medicare audit defense legal representation, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews|Comments Off

Mental Health Counselors & Social Workers: If You’re Applying for Your Professional License, Read This First!

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

The process of obtaining a mental health counselor or social worker professional license can be challenging and time-consuming. When seeking initial licensure or applying for a license in another state, you should be aware of delays in the application process due to the investigation of credentials and past practice, as well as the need to comply with licensing standards.

Examples That Would Delay Your Mental Healthcare License Application:

• Disciplinary or academic actions during postgraduate training (probation, suspension, remediation)
• Action by another state’s regulatory or licensing board
• Action by a different professional licensing board
• Misdemeanor or felony convictions
• Results of the criminal background check (remember, […]

Centene to Pay Washington State $19 Million to Resolve Medicaid Fraud Allegations

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

On August 24, 2022, managed healthcare company, Centene Corporation, agreed to pay $19 million to the State of Washington to settle fraud allegations. Centene owns and operates Sunshine State Health Plan, d/b/a Sunshine Health, in Florida. In addition, it has been reported that Centene/Sunshine Health reportedly has over $31 billion in contracts with the state of Florida alone. Click here to learn more.

The agreement with Washington State resolves allegations that it overcharged its Medicaid program for pharmacy benefit management services, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced in a press release.

Under the deal, in addition to the $19 million payment to Washington State, the federal government will receive $13.3 million related to the settlement, according to the Attorney General’s […]