National Media
With clout growing, hospitals avoid negative coverage of huge fines, safety violations
Health News Review | March 21, 2016 | By Trudy Lieberman There were three ways news outlets could have responded to the Justice Department’s (DOJ) February announcement and its previous one last fall that revealed 508 of the nation’s hospitals in 43 states had been fined more than $280 million for implanting a cardiac device in 10,000 patients in violation of Medicare’s national…
Read MoreBryan Vroon and the Landmark False Claims Act Case Against More than 500 Hospitals
Corporate Crime Reporter | February 25, 2016 If you look at Bryan Vroon’s web site, you might think it’s the web site of a political philosopher. There’s a quote from Kierkegaard: We create ourselves by our choices. And then one from Teddy Roosevelt: Far away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work…
Read MoreBryan Vroon and the False Claims Cases Against More Than 500 Hospitals
Corporate Crime Reporter | February 22, 2016
Read More2 state hospitals settle Medicare cardiac‑implant suit
Arkansas Democrat‑Gazette | February 19, 2016 | By Andy Davis Arkansas Heart Hospital has agreed to pay $900,000 to settle claims that it billed Medicare for implanting cardiac devices in situations that violated the program’s payment guidelines, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday. The Little Rock hospital was among 51 hospitals that entered settlements during the “final stage”…
Read MoreHealth system that includes St. Francis settles $1.95 million DOJ lawsuit
The Topeka Capital‑Journal | February 18, 2016 | By Morgan Chilson St. Francis Health this week joined about 500 hospitals nationwide that settled in a U.S. Department of Justice case involving the use of cardiac devices implanted in Medicare patients. St. Francis was one of five Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) system hospitals that settled in the lawsuit…
Read MoreSt. Joseph’s, Chandler Regional hospitals settle cardiac claims
The Arizona Republic | February 17, 2016 | By Ken Alltucker St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and Chandler Regional Medical Center are among 51 hospitals that have agreed to pay more than $23 million to settle whistleblower claims over Medicare billings for implanted cardiac devices, the U.S. Department of Justice said Wednesday. The Justice Department did not say how…
Read MoreFeds wrap national probe into cardiac devices; 51 more hospitals settle
Modern Healthcare | February 17, 2016 | By Lisa Schencker Another 51 hospitals will pay the government to get out from under a federal probe into the suspected overuse of implantable cardioverter defibrillators, or ICDs. The U.S. Justice Department said the settlements announced Wednesday, which tally $23 million, mark the “final stage” of its far-reaching investigation. More than 500…
Read MoreSentara settles lawsuit over allegations about cardiac devices
The Virginian‑Pilot | February 17, 2016 | By Amir Vera Sentara Healthcare has settled a lawsuit over allegations that cardiac devices were implanted in patients in violation of Medicare coverage requirements. The Department of Justice in October announced that more than $250 million in settlements had been reached and that 457 hospitals were involved. At the time, the department said…
Read MoreDOJ Shows Medicare Addresses Unnecessary Procedures
Des Moines Register | December 27, 2015 A seven-year federal investigation recently revealed that thousands of elderly Medicare patients have undergone surgeries to implant cardioverter defibrillators in violation of Medicare’s science-based coverage conditions. On Oct. 30, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it had reached settlements with 70 hospital systems involving 457 hospitals in 43 states for more than $250 million. The…
Read MoreUPMC pays $5.4 million in Medicare claims case
Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette | October 31, 2015 | By David Templeton UPMC has reached a $5.4 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice for false-claim violations involving implantation of cardiac devices against Medicare guidelines in patients and then receiving Medicare payments. Four UPMC hospitals — Hamot, Mercy, Passavant and Presbyterian Shadyside — are among 457 hospitals nationwide that have reached settlements…
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