National Media
Media on National ICD Settlements
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 coverage determination, potentially harming them and wasting billions of taxpayer dollars. They could have:
Bryan 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.
2 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.
Health 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. 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.
Feds 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.
Sentara 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.
DOJ 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.
UPMC 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.
Landmark Medicare Fraud Settlement For Cardiac Device Surgery Includes 46 Florida Hospitals
Miami Herald | October 30, 2015 | By Daniel Chang
Nine hospitals in South Florida are among nearly 500 nationwide that agreed to pay $257 million in a landmark settlement of charges that they improperly billed Medicare for surgical procedures to implant cardiac defibrillators in patients, the U.S. Justice Department announced Friday.
How DOJ Got 500‑Plus Hospitals To Settle Over Cardiac Implants
Modern Healthcare | May 28, 2016 | By Lisa Schencker
The two federal prosecutors were skeptical.
They weren’t sure what to believe when they first saw whistle-blowers’ allegations that 1,300 hospitals across the country had submitted false claims to Medicare for inappropriately implanting heart devices.
Bryan Vroon and the False Claims Cases Against More Than 500 Hospitals
Corporate Crime Reporter | February 22, 2016
Justice Department settles with hundreds of hospitals, 10 in Maryland, over defibrillators
The Baltimore Sun | October 30, 2015 | By Meredith Cohn
The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a $250 million settlement with 457 hospitals — including 10 in Maryland — related to cardiac devices that were implanted in violation of Medicare rules, the agency announced Friday.
U.S. to get back $257M for improper cardiac implants
CBS Money Watch | October 30, 2015
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department announced Friday that hundreds of hospitals will give back $257 million in Medicare payments because doctors implanted cardiac devices in violation of government rules.
Hospitals agree to pay $250 million in settlement over device that violated Medicare rules
U.S. News & World Report | October 30, 2015 | By Michael Biesecker, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department said Friday that it had reached settlements totaling more than $250 million with hundreds of hospitals where doctors implanted cardiac devices in violation of Medicare coverage requirements.
More than 450 hospitals pay over $250 million in cardiac-device investigation
Modern Healthcare | October 30, 2015 | By Lisa Schencker
More than 450 hospitals have settled with the government for more than $250 million as part of a yearslong, nationwide investigation into the suspected overuse of implantable cardiac devices, the U.S. Justice Department announced Friday.
Nearly 500 Hospitals to Pay $257 Million to Settle ICD False Claim Charges
Corporate Crime Report | October 30, 2015
Nearly five hundred hospitals will pay $257 million to settle allegations that they improperly billed Medicare for surgical procedures to implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).
Colorado hospitals improperly billed Medicare for cardiac procedures
The Denver Post | October 30, 2015 | By Alicia Wallace
Englewood-based Catholic Health Initiatives and two Colorado hospitals were part of a $258 million federal settlement related to improper Medicare billing.
Georgia Hospitals Part of Settlement on Cardiac Implants
Georgia Health News | October 30, 2015 | By Andy Miller
More than 450 hospitals, including several in Georgia, will pay a total of more than $250 million to settle allegations that cardiac devices were implanted in Medicare patients in violation of the program’s coverage requirements, the Department of Justice announced Friday.
Media On Record Stark Settlement
Whistle-Blower Worries: Hospitals Likely To See More False Claims Suits Tied To Doctor Compensation
Modern Healthcare | November 21, 2015 | By Lisa Schencker
Dr. Michael Reilly's lawyer gave his client strong advice after reviewing a lucrative employment contract that the North Broward Hospital District offered him 15 years ago.
North Broward Hospital District To Pay Government $69.5 Million
Local10.com | September 15, 2015 | By Amanda Batchelor
Hospital district accused of paying physicians for patient referrals
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – The North Broward Hospital District has agreed to pay the government $69.5 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by engaging in improper financial relationships with referring physicians, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
Florida Hospital District Agrees To Pay United States $69.5 Million To Settle False Claims Act Allegations
United States Department of Justice | September 15, 2015
North Broward Hospital District, a special taxing district of the state of Florida that operates hospitals and other health care facilities in the Broward County, Florida, area, has agreed to pay the United States $69.5 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by engaging in improper financial relationships with referring physicians, the Justice Department announced today.
Broward Health Pays Nearly $70 Million To Settle Fraud Case; Whistleblower Named
Miami Herald | September 15, 2015 | By Daniel Chang
Federal officials Tuesday revealed the identity of a Fort Lauderdale orthopedic surgeon who blew the whistle on illegal physician kickbacks, complicit hospital administrators and negligent financial oversight at taxpayer-supported Broward Health, leading the public hospital system to pay nearly $70 million to settle charges of healthcare fraud.
Broward Health To Pay $69.5 Million To Settle False Claims Charge
Corporate Crime Reporter | September 15, 2015
One of the nation’s largest public hospital systems, South Florida’s Broward Health, will pay $69.5 million to settle allegations that it violated Medicare billing laws that ban paying physicians for referrals.
Florida Hospital District To Pay $69.5 Million To Settle Lawsuit
The New York Times | September 15, 2015 | By The Associated Press
The Justice Department has reached a $69.5 million settlement with the North Broward Hospital District in South Florida, which was accused in a lawsuit of having improper financial relationships with doctors who referred patients to the district. Federal officials said on Tuesday that the case involved inflated salaries paid to nine physicians by the hospital district, which operates several health facilities. Federal law restricts the financial relationships hospitals can have with referring doctors under Medicare and Medicaid. The lawsuit was originally filed under the False Claims Act by Dr. Michael Reilly, who was joined by the Justice Department. That law allows private citizens to sue on behalf of the government and receive a part of the settlement. Dr. Reilly will get more than $12 million. The settlement does not include an admission of liability by the hospital district.
Florida Health System To Pay $69.5 Million Over Stark, False Claims Allegations
Modern Healthcare | September 15, 2015 | By Lisa Schencker
A Florida taxing district that operates hospitals in Broward County will pay the government a record $69.5 million to settle allegations that it illegally paid nine doctors for referrals.
Media on Record FCA Settlement in Montana
KRH Agreement Requires Compliance Officer, Stipulates Penalties
Flathead Beacon | October 31, 2018 | By Tristan Scott
Public document lays out details of mandatory compliance program following $24 million settlement
A Whistleblower’s Journey
Flathead Beacon | October 10, 2018 | By Tristan Scott
Former hospital administrator explains why he blew the whistle on Kalispell Regional Healthcare, an unprecedented move that led to a $24 million settlement
Kalispell Regional Settles Whistleblower Suit For $24M
Flathead Beacon | September 28, 2018 | By Tristan Scott
Unsealed terms reveal scope of government investigation alleging 63 physicians received illegal kickbacks
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include comments made during an interview with Kalispell Regional Healthcare’s executive leadership.
Complaint Details Fraud Allegations Against Kalispell Regional Healthcare
Flathead Beacon | July 3, 2018 | By Myers Reece and Tristan Scott
Years-long scheme allegedly involved illegal kickbacks, physician referral violations and false claims
Anti-Kickback Cases
Whistleblower Lawsuit Accuses 21st Century Oncology In Kickback Scheme
The Wall Street Journal | September 26, 2017 | By Peg Brickley
A one-time Florida state prosecutor, David Di Pietro, alleges in a whistleblower lawsuit that bankrupt 21st Century Oncology Inc. raked in well over $100 million through a sweetheart deal with one of the largest public health-care systems in the U.S., North Broward Hospital District, or Broward Health.
Corruption Allegations Involving Broward Health, Gov. Scott Unsealed In Whistleblower Suit
Florida Bulldog | September 25, 2017 | By Dan Christensen
New and politically explosive corruption allegations surrounding Broward Health’s no-bid, 25-year contract with 21st Century Oncology – a company financially tied to Gov. Rick Scott – are spilling out publicly with the unsealing of a federal lawsuit in Fort Lauderdale.