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.

Jury finds PeaceHealth, ER doctor not liable for misdiagnosing patient’s stroke
After a three week trial, a jury found that PeaceHealth and Ralph Weiche, MD, acted in accordance with medical protocols in diagnosing Patricia Parker with a psychiatric condition, given her unusual symptoms.
DOJ announces 324 arrests in $14.6B healthcare fraud crackdown
Of those arrested, 96 are doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers. All face charges related to telehealth prescriptions, illegal opioid distribution and fraudulent billing practices.
4 cybersecurity best practices for radiology groups
Digitization of exams has made the imaging industry a “prime target” for cybercriminals, experts wrote recently in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
Radiologists will pay $810,000 to settle allegations they performed hundreds of unnecessary procedures
Oscar Sosa, MD, and Osmany DeAngelo, DO, vehemently deny the allegations but chose to settle to avoid costly and protracted litigation.
Caremark dealt a $95 million blow for violating the False Claims Act
In a decision issued Wednesday, a judge ruled that Caremark had persuaded insurers to intentionally mislead the government regarding prescription drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries.

UnitedHealth sued by pharmacists, providers hurt by Change Healthcare hack

The National Community Pharmacists Association and nearly 40 provider groups are seeking class-action status for their lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group and its subsidiaries. The plaintiffs argue they are still struggling to file claims after the February breach of Change Healthcare.

Radiologist loses appeal in case claiming former practice wrongfully terminated him in violation of FMLA

Jason M. Browning, MD, worked for Bay Radiology Associates in Florida for a decade, but problems emerged at the group after Hurricane Michael in 2018.

DaVita to pay $34M to settle kickback allegations

The U.S. Department of Justice claimed the dialysis chain was sending kickbacks and favors to physicians in exchange for patient referrals.

House lawmakers want to relax ban on physician-owned hospitals

The bipartisan Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act would amend the Social Security Act to allow physicians to open new hospitals in hard-to-reach communities.

Senators introduce bill to bolster healthcare cybersecurity

The Healthcare Cybersecurity Act would improve cooperation between HHS and CISA to ideally speed up the response to cyberattacks.

DOJ investigating Steward Health Care over ties to foreign government

Citing two sources familiar with the matter, journalists at CBS News said the health system is suspected of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. No charges have been filed.

Frank Pollaro, a 55-year-old cardiologist from Long Island, New York, has admitted in court to possessing child pornography. Pollaro was already a registered sex offender after being convicted for the same crime in 2016.

New York cardiologist, already a sex offender, admits to possessing child pornography

The 55-year-old cardiologist was allowed to continue practicing cardiology after his first conviction in 2016. Now, he is losing his license and faces up to eight years in prison.

Former Georgia insurance commissioner sentenced to prison for $3M fraud scheme

John Oxendine has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to file claims for bogus lab tests.

Legal News

Jury finds PeaceHealth, ER doctor not liable for misdiagnosing patient’s stroke

DOJ announces 324 arrests in $14.6B healthcare fraud crackdown

4 cybersecurity best practices for radiology groups

Radiologists will pay $810,000 to settle allegations they performed hundreds of unnecessary procedures

Caremark dealt a $95 million blow for violating the False Claims Act