The Health Law Firm attorney reviews

9th Circuit Says Former Federal Nurse Can Proceed With Medical Malpractice Suit Against VA Hospital

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

On September 29, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that a former federal employee can sue the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). The suit alleges medical negligence that occurred during psychiatric treatment for a non-workplace-related injury.

As a result, the three-judge panel of the appeals court said that U.S. Navy veteran and VA nurse S.H.s’ lawsuit against a Seattle VA hospital can proceed. (Please note: we are not providing the nurse’s name out of respect for her privacy.)

In 2019, the district court dismissed S.H.’s federal tort lawsuit because the alleged malpractice occurred when doctors were treating an injury she said she sustained at her workplace. The district court reasoned that all existing or exacerbated injuries stemming from a federal workplace injury must be dealt with through the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA), even malpractice claims.

Click here to view the district court’s order for the motion to dismiss in full.

Background Details.

The plaintiff in the suit is a veteran of the U.S. Navy who suffered a mental breakdown at work in October 2011. She sought follow-up psychiatric care at a VA hospital, where she allegedly received negligent treatment. At the time the treatment was sought, she was an employee of the federal government. She claimed years of workplace bullying and harassment by her supervisor caused her mental breakdown. She sued in 2016.

The FTCA authorizes plaintiffs to sue the U.S. for “personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the Government while acting within the scope of his office or employment, under circumstances where the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred.” 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)(1). Any individual employee of the government acting within the course and scope of her job duties is immune from liability; the United States is substituted for that person in the suit.

The Big Question: Does the FTCA Authorize Suit by a Plaintiff in This Set of Circumstances?

Two factors complicate the answer in this case. First, when the plaintiff sought treatment, she was an employee of the federal government, working as a registered nurse at the VA hospital. Second, she claimed that her mental breakdown, the event that prompted her to seek medical care, was caused by workplace bullying and harassment at the hands of her supervisor. Hence, this would qualify as a work-related injury.

These facts bring into play another federal statute: the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act. FECA establishes a workers’ compensation blueprint that covers most federal employees. It is similar to state workers’ compensation laws.

When an employee sustains an injury covered by FECA, the remedy is to seek compensation under the act; they may not sue for damages under any other provision of law, including the FTCA. Therefore, had the plaintiff sued the U.S. under the FTCA to recover damages for workplace bullying and harassment, the district court would have been required to dismiss the action as barred by FECA.

In this case, however, the plaintiff is not suing for the injuries caused by workplace bullying and harassment. Instead, she is seeking to recover damages for the alleged medical malpractice by the individual doctors treating her.

Based on these facts, the appellate court reversed the district court’s judgment against the plaintiff in her Federal Tort Claims Act action. It held that the district court erred in dismissing the action on the grounds that it was barred by the FECA.

To view the ninth circuit court’s opinion in full, click here.

Consult a Health Law Attorney Who Is Familiar with Army, Navy, and Air Force Health Care Professionals and Their Problems.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm have represented federal physicians, nurses, dentists, and other health professionals in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, active duty and retired, as well as physicians, nurses, and other health professionals working for the Veterans Administration (VA) in the U.S. and around the world. They represent physicians and other health professionals with the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Public Health Service (PHS). Representation has included disciplinary action, investigations, peer review investigations, clinical privileges actions, fair hearings, National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) actions, and appeals.

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

Sources:

Capriel, Jonathan. “9th Circ. Revives Psychiatric Med Mal Suit Against VA Hospital.” Law360. (September 29, 2021). Web.

Pazanowski, Mary Ann. “Former Federal Nurse Gets New Shot at Injury Suit Against US.” Bloomberg Law. (September 29, 2021). 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. Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

Dental Office Manager Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Defrauding Medicaid Out of More Than $813,000

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

On October 1, 2021, a former dental office manager was sentenced to 12 months in prison for her role in a Medicaid fraud scheme. Mahsa Azimirad, was the office manager for Universal Smiles, a D.C.-based dental practice, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Washington, D.C.

She was indicted in January 2019, along with the dentist who ran the practice. The dentist pleaded guilty in May 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and reportedly admitted that she received over $813,000 through false billings.

The Fraudulent Billing Scheme.

Both the office manager and the dentist were alleged to have participated in a scheme to defraud the D.C. Medicaid Program through their operation of the dental practice. The dentist was a Medicaid provider. As part of the scheme, it is alleged that both of them proceeded to bill Medicaid for thousands of provisional crowns, a significant number of which were allegedly not actually provided to the patients. From August 2012 through February 2014, D.C. Medicaid reportedly paid Universal Smiles approximately $5.4 million in Medicaid reimbursement. Of that amount, it is alleged that the office manager received approximately $813,184.

As part of the sentence, she has been ordered to pay back the full amount she received and will be on three years of supervised release following the completion of her prison term.

Click here to read the press release by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and learn more.

To read about a similar case that also deals with a healthcare professional, click here to read my prior blog.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Handling Medicaid Audits and Investigations of Dentists and Healthcare Professionals.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm provide legal representation to dentists, dental hygienists, physicians, medical groups, nurses, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physical therapists, behavior analysts, pharmacists, psychologists, mental health counselors, health care facilities, and other health providers in Medicaid and Medicare investigations, audits, fraud charges, and recovery actions.

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:

Martin, Colleen. “Rockville Woman Defrauded Medicaid At Dental Office: US Attorney.” Patch. (October 4, 2021). Web.

Bethesda Beat Staff Reporter. “Rockville woman to serve prison term over D.C. Medicaid fraud.” Bethesda Magazine. (October 4, 2021). 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. Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620. Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

Humana Agrees To Pay $11.2 Million to End Nurses’ Overtime Suit

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

On September 27, 2021, Humana agreed to pay $11.2 million to end claims that the health insurance company denied a group of nurses overtime pay by misclassifying them as exempt employees. A Wisconsin federal judge approved the deal with Humana, and a group of more than 200 nurses reached, securing a $36,000 average payment for each nurse involved in the suit.

A Violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

This dispute stems from a class-action lawsuit filed in 2017 alleging that Humana misclassified its clinical nurse advisers as exempt employees and denied them overtime compensation, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act. Many professionals and supervisors or managerial employees are considered to be exempt from overtime laws.

In the suit, the company faced allegations from nurses who claimed they were never paid for overtime even though they were required to work more than 40 hours per week to meet Humana’s production goals and expectations.

The Settlement.

The settlement agreement will allocate almost $3 million to cover attorney fees and costs. Additionally, the 221 nurses that are part of the settling class will get nearly $8 million based on the number of full-time weeks the nurses worked. According to the motion, the average payment per nurse for unpaid overtime and liquidated damages will be over $36,000.

The case is O’Leary v. Humana Insurance Co., et al., case number 17-cv-1774, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Click here to view the court’s brief in full.

To read about another case dealing with alleged pay discrimination in the healthcare field, click here to read one of my prior blogs.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Nurses and Other Healthcare Professionals.

The Health Law Firm’s attorneys routinely provide legal representation to nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, dentists, dental assistants, physicians, physician assistants, mental health counselors, and other health providers. We also provide legal representation for employers in EEOC complaints, workplace discrimination complaints, and suits involving harassment or discrimination complaints. We also provide legal representation in Department of Health, Board of Medicine, Board of Nursing investigations and complaints, DORA investigations and complaints. We provide litigation services in state and federal courts and state and federal administrative hearings. We provide legal representation across the U.S., not just in Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

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:

Spezzemonte, Irene. “Humana To Pay $11.2M To End Nurses’ Misclassification Suit.” Law360. (September 27, 2021). Web.

Webster, Katherine. “Court OKs $11.2M Overtime Settlement Between Humana, Nurses.” Top Class Actions. (September 30, 2021). 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 Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave. Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 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 © 2021 The Health Law

Medicare Final Rule Decreased Physician Payments But Expands Coverage to Counselors

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 2, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that decreased overall payment rates for services provided under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). However, the final rule increased payment rates for outpatient services and expanded telehealth services. The rule went into effect January 1, 2024.

Physician Fee Schedule Rate Reductions; Counselors Added.

The overall payment rates under the 2024 PFS were reduced by 1.25 percent for 2024. The conversion factor is $32.74, which is a $1.15 decrease from 2023. Physicians’ Medicare reimbursements will fall by 3.4 percent under the PFS in 2024.

However, in a piece of good news, the 2024 final rule allows marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors, including addiction counselors, to enroll in Medicare and bill the program, for the first time ever.

Telehealth Expansions.

The PFS 2024 final rule expanded telemedicine and established that telehealth providers will be paid the non-facility rate for telehealth services. Under the rule, CMS will temporarily add health and well-being coaching services to the Medicare Telehealth Services List in 2024. Social Determinants of Health Risk Assessments will also be permanently added to the Telehealth Services List. The final rule also expanded the types of telehealth practitioners to include occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists.

The final rule allows all diabetes self-management training services via telehealth. It also enables teaching physicians to be present using telecommunications when a resident furnishes telehealth services.

Finally, the rule established that rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers will continue receiving payment for telehealth services.

Outpatient Program Payment Increases.

CMS increased Medicare payments for hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers by 3.1 percent for 2024. Stipulations in the Outpatient Prospective Payment Program final rule require hospitals to display standard charge information that conforms to a CMS template. Hospitals have been required to post the prices of services online since 2021, but compliance could be better.

Consult with a Health Law Attorney Experienced in Medicare and Medicaid Issues Now.

The lawyers of The Health Law Firm routinely represent physicians, medical groups, clinics, pharmacies, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, home health agencies, nursing homes and other healthcare providers in Medicare and Medicaid investigations, audits and recovery actions. They also represent them in preparing and submitting corrective action plans (CAPs), requests for reconsideration, and appeal hearings, including Medicare administrative hearings before an administrative law judge. Attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent health providers in actions initiated by the Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs), in False Claims Act cases, in actions initiated by the state to exclude or terminate from the Medicaid Program or by the HHS OIG to exclude from the Medicare Program.

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:

“Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule.” CMS.gov Newsroom. (2 November 2023) https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-cy-2024-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-final-rule

“CY 2024 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Final Rule (CMS 1786-FC).” CMS.gov Newsroom. (2 November 2023) https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/cy-2024-medicare-hospital-outpatient-prospective-payment-system-and-ambulatory-surgical-center-0

“CMS issues CY 2024 physician fee schedule final rule.” American Hospital Association. (2 November 2023) https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2023-11-02-cms-issues-cy-2024-physician-fee-schedule-final-rule

“CMS Issues Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule with Payment Rate Cut.” American Health Law Association Health Law Weekly. (3 November 2023) https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/content-library/health-law-weekly/article/e144866d-b571-4b10-98d0-530c46f3f5e7/CMS-Issues-Physician-Fee-Schedule-Proposed-Rule-wi?Token=fe443b47-6081-4bae-bc4a-936ffe203608

HHS Press Office. “CMS Finalizes Physician Payment Rules that Advances Health Equity.” United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2 November 2023) https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/11/02/cms-finalizes-physician-payment-rule-advances-health-equity.html

“Medicare Payments for Hospital Outpatient Services to Increase 3.1% in 2024.” American Health Law Association Health Law Weekly. (3 November 2023) https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/content-library/health-law-weekly/article/dcc44d7b-c122-49fd-9e5a-9918549f2c44/Medicare-Payments-for-Hospital-Outpatient-Services

Pifer, Rebecca. “CMS finalizes 2024 Medicare hospital, doctor payments, 340B fix and price transparency requirements.” Healthcare Dive. (3 November 2023) https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/cms-medicare-hospital-doctor-rates-2024-340b-transparency/698706/

Vaidya, Anuja. “New PFS Rule Includes Telehealth Payment, Address Reporting Wins.” mHealth Intelligence Healthcare Media. (3 November 2023) https://mhealthintelligence.com/news/new-pfs-rule-includes-telehealth-payment-address-reporting-wins

About the Authors: 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.

Hartley Brooks is a law clerk with The Health Law Firm.

The Health Law Firm’s main office is in Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

Current Open Positions with The Health Law Firm. The Health Law Firm always seeks qualified individuals interested in health law. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. If you are a current member of The Florida Bar or a qualified professional who is interested, please forward a cover letter and resume to: [email protected] or fax them to (407) 331-3030.

“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 © 2024 George F. Indest III, The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced by anyone in any medium without the author’s express written permission. The author reserves the right to have his name associated with this work at all times.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:09-04:00March 25, 2024|Categories: Health Facilities Law Blog, Nursing Law Blog|Tags: allegations of healthcare fraud, allegations of overbilling Medicaid, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) investigations and audits, False Claims attorney, FCA attorney, FCA defense lawyer, FCA lawyer, healthcare fraud representation, healthcare lawyer near me, legal representation for CMS audits and investigations, legal representation in Medicare Medicaid audit investigation, medical lawyer near me, medical overbilling, Medicare billing defense lawyer, Medicare Medicaid fraud defense attorney, representation for CMS investigations, representation for healthcare investigations, representation for medical overbilling, representation for overbilling Medicare, representation for submitting false claims, reviews for The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews|Comments Off

Florida Man Agrees to Plead Guilty in $110 Million Telemedicine Medicare Fraud Scheme

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

On February 16, 2024, a Parkland, Florida, man agreed to plead guilty to organizing a Medicare fraud scheme worth $110 million. The federal prosecution is taking place in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The fraud was allegedly perpetrated through two Florida companies the man owned, Expansion Media, LLC, and Hybrid Management Group, LLC. According to federal prosecutors in Boston, the scheme involved utilizing telemedicine and telemarketing enterprises to create fabricated orders for medical equipment, particularly knee braces. The scheme allegedly lasted from March 2016 to January 2023.

Specifics on this Medicare Fraud Scheme.

The Florida businessman and owner of Expansion Media, LLC, and Hybrid Management Group, LLC, allegedly sold medically unnecessary Durable Medical Equipment (D.M.E.) to medical staffing companies. According to the government, he used telemedicine and telemarketing companies to create false leads. The telemarketers would pay the Florida man’s companies to generate orders for the medical groups that signed off on them, even though they had no contact with any of the Medicare beneficiaries. The medical devices ordered resulted in $110 million in fraudulent claims, of which Medicare paid $52.5 million.

Prosecutors say the Florida man took many steps to conceal the scheme, including changing his business names, creating fictitious e-mails tied to those companies, and using third-party pass-through payment options.

The Florida man was ordered by the court to pay back $15.7 million and a laundry list of expensive jewelry purchases, such as multiple Patek Philippe watches and Tiffany & Co. jewelry. He agreed to plead guilty, and his deal includes a ten-year prison sentence with supervised releases for three years and fines up to $250,000.

No mention was made about what happened to the Patek Phillippe watches or the Tiffany jewelry, but I have asked the FBI to keep me advised. I have an anniversary coming up.

To view the press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, click here.

Florida Man: Joyfully Spreading Florida’s Crime All Over the Place

This blog relates one of my biggest pet peeves. That scurrilous, underhanded Florida Man. Now he has spread his disease of fraud and theft all the way up to the beautiful city of Boston. Why don’t they finally lock him up once and for all?

Is Florida really going to make Florida Man the official state bird, replacing the beautiful Northern Mockingbird? Maybe that’s what he was doing up north in Massachusetts, mocking them.

This case also points out Florida’s reputation as a state which shelters and promotes the use of shell corporations and limited liability companies used to defraud the public and its protection of conmen and fraudsters.

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

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent physicians, pharmacists, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, and other health care providers in Medicare audits, investigations and subpoenas, Medicaid audits and subpoenas, Medicare and Medicaid investigations, Department of Health (DOH) subpoenas and investigations, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) subpoenas and investigations, and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) subpoenas, audits and investigations, in Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and across the U.S. They also represent healthcare providers in actions to terminate billing privileges, termination from the Medicare or Medicaid programs, and state and federal administrative hearings and litigation.

For more information please visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com or call (407) 331-6620 or toll-free (888) 331-6620.

Sources:

DOM. (February 16, 2024). Owner of telemedicine companies charged with $110 million medicare fraud scheme. United States Attorney’s Office. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/owner-telemedicine-companies-charged-110-million-medicare-fraud-scheme#:~:text=BOSTON%20%E2%80%93%20The%20owner%20of%20Expansion,as%20back%20and%20knee%20braces.

Dowling, B. (February 16, 2024). Telemedicine exec admits $110 Medicare fraud scheme. Law360. Retrieved from https://www.law360.com/articles/1803737/telemedicine-exec-admits-110m-medicare-fraud-scheme

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 Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

Attorney Positions with The Health Law Firm. The Health Law Firm is always looking for qualified attorneys interested in the practice of health law. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. If you are a member of The Florida Bar and are interested, forward a cover letter and your resume to: [email protected] or fax to: (407) 331-3030.

“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 © 2024 George F. Indest III, The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any way in any medium without the written permission of the copyright owner. The author of this work reserves the right to have his name associated with any use or publication of this work or any part of it.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:09-04:00March 25, 2024|Categories: Health Facilities Law Blog|Tags: civil monetary penalty hearing, CMS defense attorney, CMS legal defense lawyer, Florida health law defense attorney, health insurance audit defense attorney, healthcare fraud defense legal representation, legal representation for CMS investigation, legal representation for healthcare professionals, legal representation in Medicaid managed care plan audit appeal, legal representation in Medicaid managed care plan audit defense, legal representation in Medicaid managed care plan overpayment demand, Medicaid managed care plan audit appeal attorney, Medicaid managed care plan audit legal defense attorney, Medicare Medicaid audit appeal lawyer, Medicare Medicaid audit defense attorney, Medicare Medicaid audit defense lawyer, Medicare Medicaid audit overpayment demand defense attorney, Medicare Medicaid investigation defense lawyer, Medicare Medicaid overpayment demand defense attorney, Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigation defense attorney, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews|Comments Off

Esformes Reaches Plea Deal in Major Nursing Home Medicare Fraud Scheme

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 February 1, 2024, the District Court for the Southern District of Florida announced that Florida nursing home mogul Phillip Esformes had reached a plea deal on pending conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud charges.

Esformes, who then owned more than 30 Miami-area nursing and assisted living facilities, was first charged in July 2016 with what the Department of Justice (DOJ) called a $1 billion, decades-long Medicare fraud and money-laundering scheme. Click here to read the DOJ’s press release. (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/three-individuals-charged-1-billion-medicare-fraud-and-money-laundering-scheme)

The Fraudulent Health Care Scheme.

The government initially accused The Florida Man of bribing physicians to refer patients to the nursing homes he owned in the Miami area. He would then move the patients to his assisted living facilities once he had charged Medicare for the maximum of 100 days the government pays for skilled nursing services.

In April 2019, a federal jury convicted the nursing home mogul on various counts of paying and receiving kickbacks, money laundering, bribery, and obstruction of justice. The judge sentenced him to 20 years in prison and ordered to pay $5.5 million in restitution and to forfeit $38.7 million. Click hear to read more. (https://www.thehealthlawfirmblogs.com/the-biggest-healthcare-fraud-case-ever-prosecuted-in-2019-big-surprise-florida-wins/)

However, in December 2020, former President Donald Trump commuted his 20 year prison sentence. The conviction remained, however, and he was ordered to pay the restitution order, which the Eleventh Circuit later affirmed.

The Retrial.

During the initial trial, the jury was deadlocked on six counts of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. The DOJ announced in April 2021 that it would retry Esformes on these counts. He appealed to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals arguing that a retrial was barred because it would violate Trump’s clemency order. He also argued that the prosecution’s misconduct in reviewing privileged materials barred the retrial. The Eleventh Circuit denied his appeal of the prosecution misconduct issue and did not rule on the issue of Trump’s clemency order.

He appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States which denied his appeal in December 2023.

A Plea Deal with the District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

On February 1, 2024, the judge assigned to the retrial in the case canceled a scheduled conference because the parties had reached a plea deal. A plea in the case lets the Florida man avoid another lengthy trial — and another potentially harsh prison sentence if he were convicted. The terms of the plea deal have not been made public.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Health Care Fraud and Anti-Kickback Statute Violations.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent healthcare providers in cases of medical billing fraud, overbilling, Medicare audits, Anti-Kickback allegations, and False Claims Act cases throughout Florida and across the United States. Our attorneys 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.

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:

Bolado, Carolina. “Fla. Nursing Home Mogul Reaches Plea Deal With Feds.” Law360. (1 February 2024) https://www.law360.com/health/articles/1767643?nl_pk=ab1e43aa-534e-4b86-8a5a-6b981ef7c33b&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=health&utm_content=1767643&read_main=1&nlsidx=0&nlaidx=0

Hale, Nathan. “Esformes Told To Pay $44.2M In Massive Health Fraud Case.” Law360. (21 November 2019) https://www.law360.com/articles/1219282

Mangan, Dan. “Trump clemency recipient Philip Esformes reaches plea deal in Medicare fraud case.” CNBC. (1 February 2024) https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/01/trump-clemency-recipient-philip-esformes-has-medicare-plea-deal.html

Office of Public Affairs. “South Florida Health Care Facility Owner Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Role in Largest Health Care Fraud Scheme Ever Charged by The Department of Justice.” United States Department of Justice. (12 September 2019) https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/south-florida-health-care-facility-owner-sentenced-20-years-prison-role-largest-health-care

About the Authors:

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.

Hartley Brooks is a law clerk with The Health Law Firm.

The Health Law Firm has its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area, and can be reached at: www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 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 © 2024 George F. Indest III, The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any way in any medium without the written permission of the copyright owner. The author of this work reserves the right to have his name associated with any use or publication of this work or any part of it.

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Florida Primary Care Practice Settles HIPAA Investigation for $20,000

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

On December 15, 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), announced that Health Specialists of Central Florida, Inc., will pay $20,000 to resolve alleged violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule’s right of access standard.

The primary care provider also agreed to a corrective action plan (CAP) with two years of monitoring.

It is extremely important that Florida physicians and health professionals remember that there is a federal law requirement under HIPAA that requires the timely furnishing of a health record requested by a patient. You must be sure to meet the deadline, but, more importantly, document that you have met it. Use cover letters, obtain receipts when possible, and document the date you provided the record in the record.

Click here to view the press release issued by the OCR.

Right of Access Standard.

OCR first launched an investigation into Health Specialists of Central Florida after the daughter of a deceased patient filed a complaint in November 2019. The complainant made a written access request for her father’s medical records but did not receive them for nearly five months, and only after multiple requests.

The HIPAA right of access standard requires covered entities to respond to requests for records within 30 days of receipt or 60 days if it obtains an extension of time. OCR’s guidance on the right of access is available here.

The Settlement.

In addition to the monetary settlement, Health Specialists of Central Florida will undertake a corrective action plan (CAP) that includes two years of monitoring. The CAP requires the practice to develop, maintain, and revise its written privacy procedures and policies, distribute them to the workforce, and review and update its right of access to PHI policy.

This case marks the 42nd case resolved under OCR’s HIPAA Right of Access Initiative. To view the settlement agreement and CAP, click here.

Contact a Health Law Attorney Experienced in Defending HIPAA Complaints and Violations.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent physicians, dental practices, medical groups, nursing homes, home health agencies, pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare providers and institutions in investigating and defending against HIPAA investigations and complaints and in preparing Corrective Action Plans (CAPs).

For more information about HIPAA violations, electronic health records or corrective action plans (CAPs) please visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com or call (407) 331-6620 or toll-free (888) 331-6620.

Sources:

Health Law Weekly. “Florida Primary Care Provider to Pay $20,000 to Resolve Right of Access Probe.” AHLA. (December 16, 2022). Web.

Giles, Bruce. “Florida primary care practice fined HHS $20K for not giving timely access to patient data.” Becker’s Hospital Review. (December 16, 2022). Web.

McKeon, Jill. “OCR Resolves HIPAA Right of Access Case With FL Primary Care Practice.” Health IT Security. (December 16, 2022). 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. Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

Current Open Positions with The Health Law Firm. The Health Law Firm always seeks qualified individuals interested in health law. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. If you are a current member of The Florida Bar or a qualified professional who is interested, please forward a cover letter and resume to: [email protected] or fax them to (407) 331-3030.

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Walgreens Accused of Providing Insufficient COBRA Notices, Class Action Says

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

On November 30, 2022, a group of former Walgreens workers filed a proposed class action in Florida federal court that accuses the pharmacy chain of sending confusing, incomplete COBRA notices. The former employees sued, saying the company purposely sent former employees “haphazard and piece-meal” information about their rights to continued insurance coverage under the federal COBRA law to save itself money.

As a result, they lost access to their medical coverage when terminated and therefore had to pay out of pocket to cover medical expenses.

Details of the Class Action.

The plaintiffs filed the class action complaint against Walgreen Co. in the United States District Court Middle District of Florida Tampa Division, alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

They were all terminated from Walgreens between 2018 and 2020 for reasons not related to gross misconduct, they said in their complaint. After their termination, they received COBRA notices that needed to be written in a manner that an average plan participant could understand. However, rather than receiving one document outlining that information on COBRA, they received multiple separately mailed documents that lacked critical information, according to the complaint.

The first notice fails to include an address indicating where COBRA payments should be mailed. “It also fails to explain how to actually enroll in COBRA, nor does it bother including a physical election form,” the lawsuit alleges.

A second notice sent contains some but not all of the required information, the lawsuit states.

The insufficient COBRA notices confused and misled the plaintiffs and caused them economic injuries in the form of lost health insurance and informational injuries, they claim.

Similar Suits Against Walgreens.

Because similar lawsuits alleging deficient COBRA notices have been filed against Walgreens before, the pharmacy chain was aware that its notices were inconsistent with the Department of Labor’s model, alleged the workers. Therefore, they claim that its choice to use a non-compliant notice was in “deliberate or reckless disregard” to the workers’ rights.

The plaintiffs seek to represent a class of all Walgreens health care plan participants and beneficiaries who were sent similar COBRA notices during the applicable statute of limitations period and did not elect to continue coverage.

The plaintiffs seek reinstatement of their right to coverage, damages, fees, and costs. Click here to read the complaint.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Health Care Professionals and Providers.

At the Health Law Firm, we provide legal services for all health care providers and professionals. This includes pharmacists, pharmacies, physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists and any other healthcare provider. We represent health facilities, individuals, groups, and institutions in contracts, sales, mergers and acquisitions, and in complex litigation. The lawyers of The Health Law Firm are experienced in complex litigation and both formal and informal administrative hearings. We also represent pharmacists accused of wrongdoing, patient complaints, and in Department of Health investigations.

To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.ThehealthLawFirm.com

Sources:

Edwards, Jesse. “Walgreens class action claims company fails to provide legal COBRA notices.” Top Class Actions. (December 5, 2022). Web.

Freedman, Emily. “Walgreens Provides Deficient COBRA Notices, Suit Says.” Law360. (December 1, 2022). 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. Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-20T20:01:55-04:00March 22, 2024|Categories: Pharmacy Law Blog|Tags: complex health transaction lawyer, complex healthcare transaction business attorney, complex medical business transaction attorney, complex medical litigation legal representation, DEA defense lawyer, DEA OTSC defense lawyer, DEA subpoena lawyer, Department of Health complaint investigation attorney, health care corporate attorney, legal defense in Medicare Medicaid Tricare Health Insurance audit, legal defense of complex health litigation, Legal representation for pharmacists and pharmacies, legal representation in buying and selling pharmacies, legal representation in complex medical contracts, legal representation in complex pharmacy litigation, Medicare Medicaid Tricare Health Insurance audit defense lawyer, pharmacists defense representation, pharmacy law defense lawyer, reviews of The Health Law Firm attorneys, the health law firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews|Comments Off

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

Our firm is often consulted by military physicians, Veterans Administration (VA) physicians, and former military and VA physicians concerning matters involving peer reviews of their care. In the military, whether Army, Navy, or Air Force, peer review for all physicians is now governed by one general department. The Department of Defense (DOD) Regulation, that is, Defense Health Agency Procedures Manual (abbreviated DHA PM) 6025.13, became effective October 1, 2019. VA physicians have different, but somewhat similar regulations that apply to them.

We are often consulted by these physicians, who no longer serve with those agencies, or after action has already been taken to report them to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) for allegedly substandard care. Such reports go into the NPDB for fifty (50) years and are reported to all state licensing boards and to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB).

They can haunt a physician’s career for life.

What Should You Do When Notified of a Claim, Investigation, Peer Review Action, or Quality Assurance Investigation (QAI)?

When you first notice that you are the subject of or named in a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) claim or any type of inquiry or investigation related to your care, you should consult with a healthcare attorney with experience in such matters. We are few and far between, but you can find us if you look for us.

You will usually have at least two opportunities to provide input into such matters, but you need to take advantage of the earliest opportunity to influence the outcome.

1.You must obtain and review a copy of the medical record.

2.You need to have an expert in your medical field review the case for you.

3.You can request an extension of time if needed.

What Are Questions I Should Ask of an Attorney with Whom I Consult?

These are the questions that I suggest you ask any attorney you consult with:

1.What is your experience dealing with the military or VA medical system?

2.How many similar matters of this nature have you handled?

3.Are you familiar with National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reports, challenges and appeals?

4.How many NPDB matters have you handled?

5.How many cases have you handled in which you assisted in making statements for input into such investigations or inquiries?

6.Are you familiar with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) taking DOD NPDB reports out from under the regular NPDB procedures?

7.How many military or VA quality assurance investigations have you represented physicians?

8.How many VA and military peer review/clinical privileges hearings have you done?

9.How familiar are you with hospitals and health systems?

10.How familiar are you with the military medical system, the roles of the Surgeons General, and the Department of Defense Division of Health Affairs (DOD HA)?

11.How familiar are you with DOD PM 6025.13?

12.How familiar are you with: VHA Directive 1190 (Peer Review for Quality Management), VHA Handbook 1050.01 (VHA National Patient Safety Improvement Handbook), VHA Handbook 1100.17 (National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Reports), VHA Handbook 1100.19 (Credentialing and Privileging), VHA Directive 2008-077 (Quality Management (QM) and Patient Safety Activities . . . ), VHA Directive 1026 (VHA Enterprise Framework for Quality, Safety and Management), and VA Handbook 5120/14 (Employee/Management Relations)?

Don’t Wait Until After the Decision to Report You Has Been Made.

Don’t wait until the final decision has been made to report you to obtain experienced legal counsel to represent you in defending yourself against allegations of substandard care. Avail yourself of any and all opportunities to provide your concise, objective, and well-reasoned medical rationale for your care at the earliest stage you are allowed to do so.

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.

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 Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620

Attorney Positions with The Health Law Firm. The Health Law Firm is always looking for qualified attorneys interested in the practice of health law. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. If you are a member of The Florida Bar and are interested, forward a cover letter and your resume to: [email protected] or fax to: (407) 331-3030.

“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 © 2024 George F. Indest III, The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any way in any medium without the written permission of the copyright owner. The author of this work reserves the right to have his name associated with any use or publication of this work or any part of it.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:09-04:00March 19, 2024|Categories: Health Facilities Law Blog|Tags: Air Force Physician National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reports, Appeal of National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reports, Army Physician National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reports, defense lawyer for NPDB report, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) subpoena defense attorney, Florida health law defense attorney, health law defense attorney, healthcare licensure representation, Hospital clinical privileges hearings, legal representation for reporting to the NPDB, medical license defense lawyer, Medical Staff clinical privileges hearings, Medical staff fair hearings, Medical staff peer review, Military physician National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reports, National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reports, Navy Physician National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reports, Physician probation, representation for healthcare professionals, representation for medical professionals, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews, Veterans Administration (VA) National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) reports|Comments Off

What You Need to Know Right Now If the DEA is Knocking on Your Door!

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

Is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) knocking at your door or, even worse, going through your files inside your office?

If so, this is what you need to know right now!

YES, you do have the right to call your attorney. Call your attorney right now. If you cannot, ask one of your employees or spouse to call your attorney. Get your attorney involved right now!

NO, do not sign a document to relinquish or voluntarily give up your DEA registration number. If you do so, this will probably be the biggest mistake you make in your life.

NO, do not sign a document waiving your right to a grand jury investigation before the DEA is authorized to charge you. Why would you voluntarily give up one of your most important constitutional rights?

Don’t Get Fooled By What the DEA Agents Tell You.

The DEA has the reputation (and, in my experience, deservedly so) of making false statements to individuals about what will happen to them or not happen to them if they do not “Cooperate” with the DEA by giving up their rights.

Often they will handcuff the pharmacist or the physician who is the subject of their raid, search warrant, or subpoena as a method of intimidating them. Then they will threaten the person by arresting them and jailing them immediately if they do not sign a “voluntary” relinquishment of their DEA registration. Yet once you do this, your DEA registration is gone, and you will most likely never get one again.

We have even had the report from a physician recently where the DEA agents, during executing a search warrant (not an arrest warrant, by the way), of having the doctor sign a document waiving her right to having a grand jury hearing on any charges she may have been facing. The threat was that she needed to waive her rights or be arrested on the spot and taken to jail. She signed without consulting an attorney.

If you are a pharmacist or pain management physician, or you own or operate a pain management practice, or if you prescribe or dispense opioids, you must have the name and phone number of a good health lawyer and a good criminal lawyer on hand and post at all times! It is only a matter of time before you need to use it.

Have this information in your wallet and taped to every telephone and computer in your office. But use it right away. Call your attorney right away. Your attorney will come over or brief you on what to do or not do.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Pharmacies and Pharmacists.

The Health Law Firm represents pharmacists and pharmacies in DEA, DOH, and FDA investigations, qui tam and whistleblower cases, regulatory matters, licensing issues, litigation, administrative hearings, inspections, and audits. The firm’s attorneys include those who are board certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law, as well as licensed health professionals who are also attorneys.

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

Call (407) 331-6620 or Toll-free (888) 331-6620

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