1. Walgreens pays $9.8M to resolve false claims allegations
Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreens paid the federal government $9.86 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting improper claims to California’s Medicaid program.
2. Cherokee Nation files suit against drug wholesalers, pharmacies for role in opioid epidemic
The Cherokee Nation filed a landmark lawsuit, taking aim at the pharmaceutical industry for its role in allegedly flooding the tribe’s communities with highly addictive opioid painkillers.
3. UPMC, laundry provider sued again over mold outbreak
Pittsburgh-based UPMC and Paris Cleaners, the health system’s linen services provider, are facing yet another lawsuit over a mold outbreak discovered in 2015.
4. Judge dismisses BCBS of North Carolina’s suit to recoup $130M in risk corridors payments
A U.S. Court of Federal Claims judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina seeking $130 million in payments under the ACA’s risk corridors program.
5. Discharged patient arrested after refusing to leave St. Luke’s University Hospital
A 60-year-old man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after police say he refused to leave St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem, Pa., and threatened to shoot hospital security guards.
6. Hospice companies to pay $12.2M to settle false billing case
Mooresville, N.C.-based hospice company Curo Health Services and several of its affiliates agreed to pay the federal government a combined $12.21 million to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute.
7. NIH employee charged with stealing medical research equipment, selling it on eBay
A 20-year employee at the National Institutes of Health headquarters in Bethesda, Md., was charged with theft after allegedly stealing medical research equipment from the facility and selling it online.
8. Defunct SC co-op sues feds over $36.9M in reinsurance payments
Charleston, S.C.-based Consumers’ Choice Health Plan, a failed health insurance co-op, filed a lawsuit against the federal government claiming the government’s inability to pay reinsurance payments led to its 2015 collapse.
More articles on legal and regulatory issues:
Owner of medical debt collection businesses admits embezzling $555k from clients
Oklahoma hospital, ex-COO and physicians settle false billing case
Massachusetts accuses UHS of Medicaid billing fraud
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