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.

DOJ sues New York over alleged ‘fraud scheme’ linked to home healthcare
The U.S. Department of Justice accuses the state of failing to hold a contractor accountable, despite the company allegedly failing to meet its obligation to bring savings to a Medicaid program that aids disabled patients. The state said the private management company saved taxpayers $1 billion in a single year since taking over the program.
OIG warns of ‘ghost network’ trouble in maternal health managed care
Looking at the three largest Medicaid managed care plans related to maternal health, the Office of Inspector General found instances of ineligible providers being included in directories, as well as other errors such as incorrect contact information.
Major grocery operator on the hook for $40M over pharmacy monkey business; $6M windfall for whistleblower
One of the largest food retailers in the world—and the fourth biggest in this country—got itself into hot water with the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly cheating on drug prices it charges to federal healthcare programs.
Legal battle between two rival doctors results in dancefloor-biting during church fundraiser
Tamin Naber, MD, was charged with simple assault for biting a former employee at his medical practice who was suing him for wrongful termination. The incident occurred in November 2025.
OhioHealth agrees to void contracts that allegedly punished payers for including competitors in-network
The U.S. Department of Justice said the settlement will save citizens of the state money and open up the market to competition.

CityMD agrees to $12M settlement over alleged COVID claims fraud

The company cooperated with a DoJ investigation into COVID-19 tests being erroneously billed to the federal government.

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California bill: Private equity firms must seek AG approval for healthcare buyouts

California Assembly bill AB-3129 requires private equity investors to send an application to the state attorney general 90 days before they purchase a hospital or provider group.

FDA panel recommends new COVID-19 booster

Booster uptake rates remain low. To date, only 22.5% of Americans received an annual COVID-19 shot from 2023.

Q&A: Healthcare cybersecurity advocate fears damage from Change Healthcare breach has only begun

Richard Staynings says the breach of Change Healthcare’s systems stems from consolidation, and the impact may devastate independent providers.

HHS: ‘Who is responsible for ensuring that individuals affected by the Change Healthcare breach receive notification?’

HHS’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has confirmed UnitedHealth Group can send out HIPAA-required notifications about the breach but stopped short of saying the company will be responsible for doing so.

Rural New Mexico hospital may close its doors after $100M malpractice judgment

Rehoboth McKinley Medical Center lost a 2019 malpractice case involving a botched hernia surgery. The hospital was already operating at a loss before the case went to court.

Doctor sentenced to five years for performing unnecessary surgeries

Daniel J. Castro, MD, defrauded insurers and patients by conducting unnecessary excisions of glands in the head and neck.

Authorities scold provider for failing to relay results from X-ray unearthing deadly lung cancer

An initial exam pinpointed nodules in both of a woman's lungs, but providers failed to promptly relay the results and she died months later.

Legal News

DOJ sues New York over alleged ‘fraud scheme’ linked to home healthcare

OIG warns of ‘ghost network’ trouble in maternal health managed care

Major grocery operator on the hook for $40M over pharmacy monkey business; $6M windfall for whistleblower

Legal battle between two rival doctors results in dancefloor-biting during church fundraiser

OhioHealth agrees to void contracts that allegedly punished payers for including competitors in-network