Legal & Regulatory Issues

A new study from the RAND Corp. outlines methods that could be used to test a payment system in which physicians, hospitals and healthcare providers would be paid a set fee for treating an "episode of care," a single ailment…

Six hospitals in Indiana and Alabama have agreed to pay the United States approximately $8.3 million to settle allegations that the healthcare facilities submitted false claims to Medicare, according to a Department of Justice news release.

The United States Department of Justice has brought civil cases against 11 cardiologists employed by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey for allegedly receiving kickbacks to refer cardiology patients to UMDNJ's University Hospital, which caused the submission…

In a 15-8 vote, the Senate Finance Committee rejected an amendment sponsored by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) that would create a public healthcare insurance plan, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners said insurance companies are alarming Medicare beneficiaries about proposed federal health reform legislation, according to a release from the NAIC.

Although the Texas Medical Association opposes some proposed health reforms, such as a public insurance option, TMA wants reform legislation that cracks down on several insurance practices that reduce coverage, according to a TMA release.

Suresh Chand has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and one count of conspiracy to launder money as part of an $18.3 million Medicare fraud scheme, according to a joint news…

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to eliminate scheduled premium increases next year of $8-$23 a month for Medicare Part B, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Here are five antikickback cases making headlines this summer. The situations involve physicians, hospitals, device makers and pharmaceutical companies.

Cleopatra Lacour Montgomery of Port Allen, La., was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay over $100,000 in restitutions after she pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud and money laundering, according to a report from WAFB 9 News.