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.

State sues AI company after bot impersonates doctor
The digital entity gave at least one end-user a phony medical-license number. Unfortunately for the chatbot, that end-user was a state investigator.
Hospitals sue Anthem over policy prohibiting use of out-of-network radiologists
Anthem defended the policy in response to the lawsuit, contending patients shouldn’t have to worry about surprise medical bills when visiting in-network hospitals.
Maggot therapy? Wrongful termination lawsuit claims nursing home had a severe sanitation problem
Boca Raton Rehabilitation Center called claims made in the lawsuit by a former employee, Nuella Joseph, “unsubstantiated.” Joseph, a nurse, said the facility has a cleanliness problem that led to bug infestations in resident rooms.
DOJ unveils West Coast ‘Strike Force’ as new tactic used to tackle healthcare fraud
Federal authorities said the shift to regional “Strike Force” models has proven successful, with 6,200 defendants prosecuted nationwide. The DOJ said this latest unit will take a special interest in Northern California.
Radiologists among physician specialists facing higher risk of being sued, AMA says
About 38% of rads surveyed said they had defended against at least one lawsuit, with such specialists at a higher risk than others in internal medicine.

$3.3B merger of UnitedHealth and Amedisys delayed by DOJ lawsuit

The new deadline for the deal to be finalized is Dec. 31, 2025. However, the ultimate fate of UnitedHealth's acquisition of Amedisys will be decided in a federal court.

Hospital and police department feud over baggie of drugs in patient’s rectum

Mercy Health-Lorain Hospital is suing the county after police revoked protection services for the Catholic facility, which refused to remove the baggie, citing safety concerns.

Bill to regulate healthcare private equity lands on desk of Mass. governor

Gov. Maura Healey has until Jan. 9 to pass the act into law or use her veto powers. The bill passed the state Senate on Dec. 30.

Mayo Clinic sues insurer over $740K in medical bills for patient

The nonprofit health system accused Sanford Health Plan of failing to pay for a patient’s 52 days of treatment, despite approval and authorization.

money cybersecurity ransomware health IT data breach hacker

Radiology provider Akumin failed to protect patient info prior to cyberattack, lawsuit claims

Gina Letizio of New Hampshire and her attorneys filed the complaint Dec. 27, seeking damages in excess of $5 million.

Mangione now faces federal charges, death penalty in murder of UHC CEO

After Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was extradited to New York, federal prosecutors unsealed a new set of murder charges.

FBI seeking extradition of Israeli prisoner accused of $500M in ransomware attacks

Rostislav Panev is facing fraud and cybercrime charges in Israel, where he has been accused of being a software developer for hacker group LockBit.

CVS Health announces $10.6B acquisition of Oak Street Health

DOJ sues CVS over unlawful opioid prescriptions and reimbursement

The U.S. Department of Justice said policies at CVS Health forbade pharmacists from discussing patients and providers who may be prescribing opiates in violation of the Controlled Substance Act.

Legal News

State sues AI company after bot impersonates doctor

Hospitals sue Anthem over policy prohibiting use of out-of-network radiologists

Maggot therapy? Wrongful termination lawsuit claims nursing home had a severe sanitation problem

DOJ unveils West Coast ‘Strike Force’ as new tactic used to tackle healthcare fraud

Radiologists among physician specialists facing higher risk of being sued, AMA says