In the lawsuit, Dr. Robenzadeh claims he was retaliated against for bringing to light patient abuse and Medicaid fraud at WMC as well as violations of the hospital’s academic medical center training program.
Health insurance plans ordinarily pay for up to 14 days of inpatient care for psychiatric disorders. Dr. Robenzadeh claims WMG’s billing department alerted nursing staff when reimbursement was scheduled to stop. Rather than discharge child and adolescent psychiatric inpatients, nursing staff “provoked, taunted, incited or engaged in other behaviors” that caused the patients to act out, allowing nursing staff to then request a physician’s order to drug or restrain the patients. This practice extended the patients’ hospitalizations and increased the hospital’s Medicaid reimbursement, according to the lawsuit.
After Dr. Robenzadeh raised his concerns about what was occurring at WMC, he claims he was harassed by hospital supervisors and ultimately terminated from the WMC fellowship program.
WMC said Dr. Robenzadeh’s claims are “without merit” and “offensive,” according to The Washington Times.
More articles on healthcare industry lawsuits:
10 latest healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements
HealthPartners, Wal-Mart battle over logo in court
Clinic owner faces up to 38 years in prison for healthcare fraud, filing false tax returns
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.