Legal News

Stories about physicians and other healthcare professionals involved in lawsuits—as either a plaintiff or a defendant—or accused of breaking the law. Various legal updates or unusual stories in the news may land here.

Nonprofit physician support program faces lawsuit from two docs who say it irreparably damaged their careers
Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP), a contractor with the state health department, is accused of trapping two physicians into mental health treatment as a condition of maintaining their medical residency jobs. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are seeking class action status.
FTC settles antitrust lawsuit against private equity-backed anesthesiology chain
Federal regulators alleged that U.S. Anesthesia Partners—a portfolio company of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowes—engaged in a “roll-up scheme” in Texas that effectively eliminated the competition. The company denies the allegations, but has agreed to undisclosed terms that would see the lawsuit resolved.
Hospital's poor radiation safety protocols led to cancer 'cluster' among staff, rad tech claims
The technologist, who was diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma in 2023, says she previously took her concerns to leadership, but her claims were not taken seriously.
FTC shuts down alleged health insurance fraud scheme involving the sale of low-quality plans
The owners of several telemarketing companies, along with the organizations themselves, have been named as defendants in a federal lawsuit. The Federal Trade Commission alleges that the group would sell bundled services as supposed “PPO” plans, leaving patients to discover that services were not covered.
New case law could put radiologists on hook for imaging-order appropriateness
“Radiologists should exercise caution when implementing...protocoling workﬂows that bypass independent radiologist review," one expert writes in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Nonprofit physician support program faces lawsuit from two docs who say it irreparably damaged their careers

Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP), a contractor with the state health department, is accused of trapping two physicians into mental health treatment as a condition of maintaining their medical residency jobs. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are seeking class action status.

Michigan has become the 20th state to opt out from federal regulations that require physician supervision of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). The move was made to ensure access to value-based, high-quality care across the state, but it is being opposed by the Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA) and several other physician groups. Image from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA)

FTC settles antitrust lawsuit against private equity-backed anesthesiology chain

Federal regulators alleged that U.S. Anesthesia Partners—a portfolio company of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowes—engaged in a “roll-up scheme” in Texas that effectively eliminated the competition. The company denies the allegations, but has agreed to undisclosed terms that would see the lawsuit resolved.

Hospital's poor radiation safety protocols led to cancer 'cluster' among staff, rad tech claims

The technologist, who was diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma in 2023, says she previously took her concerns to leadership, but her claims were not taken seriously.

FTC shuts down alleged health insurance fraud scheme involving the sale of low-quality plans

The owners of several telemarketing companies, along with the organizations themselves, have been named as defendants in a federal lawsuit. The Federal Trade Commission alleges that the group would sell bundled services as supposed “PPO” plans, leaving patients to discover that services were not covered.

court brain scan legal gavel lawsuit malpractice judge

New case law could put radiologists on hook for imaging-order appropriateness

“Radiologists should exercise caution when implementing...protocoling workﬂows that bypass independent radiologist review," one expert writes in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Clinic selling electrical stimulation pain relief pays $380K to resolve fraud allegations

The U.S. Department of Justice said Wisconsin-based Apple Clinic and its owner Michael Johnson, MD, were using a combination of nerve density testing, vitamin injections and electrical stimulation to alleviate pain, billing Medicare for these medically unnecessary services.

Where physicians have become more litigious than hospitals over unpaid patient bills

Of all lawsuits filed against patients in 2024 in one U.S. state, physician practices and other non-hospital healthcare entities accounted for 80% of cases. That’s a complete inversion from just six years prior.

cybersecurity lock hack hacker cyber technology money credit card

DOJ seeks to freeze assets of telehealth company, alleging 'runaway campaign of lawbreaking'

The U.S. Department of Justice said it worries its lawsuit could ultimately bankrupt the telehealth group, leaving little money for alleged victims. The company is said to have refused to cancel member accounts, forcing patients to file credit card disputes to get refunds. This is in addition to other arguably more serious accusations levied by the DOJ.