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About The Health Law Firm

The Health Law Firm concentrates on representing health care providers. Our health law attorneys and paralegals have decades of experience in the legal and health care fields. Our health law attorneys include those Board Certified in Health Law, Masters degree trained, former hospital counsel and licensed health care professionals. Our clients include physicians, dentists, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, medical students, nursing homes, home health agencies, hospitals, health insurers, medical groups, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, and other health care providers.

Former University of Florida Professor and Researcher Charged With Fraud and Hiding China Ties

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On February 3, 2021, a former University of Florida professor was indicted on allegations of fraudulently obtaining a federal grant from the U.S. by concealing his ties with the Chinese government. He is accused of fraudulently obtaining $1.75 million in federal grant money from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He was able to do this by concealing support he received from the Chinese government and a company that he founded in China to profit from that […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:40-04:00May 18, 2021|Pharmacy Law Blog|

Impaired Practitioner Programs: What You Need to Know if You’ve Been Accused

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

In an industry that revolves around helping others physicians and other health professionals sometimes find that they are the ones being pushed toward a treatment program. Long hours, heavy workloads, and stress among health care professionals can sometimes lead to unsafe, unprofessional behavior and impairment allegations.

We routinely work with pharmacists and other health professionals who are accused by employers, hospitals, competitors, or terminated employees of impairment due to drug or alcohol abuse, or mental impairment, of being […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:40-04:00May 17, 2021|Pharmacy Law Blog|

Three Charged For $109 Million Medicare Fraud Plot and HIPAA Violations

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

In October 2020, Massachusetts federal prosecutors charged three individuals for their alleged roles in a multi-million dollar plot to defraud Medicare. Two individuals allegedly collected patient health data and sold it to the purported mastermind, who then used it to submit $109 million in false Medicare claims.

Both individuals obtaining the personal health information were located in Florida, wouldn’t you know it. Each was charged with one […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:40-04:00May 17, 2021|Nursing Law Blog|

Judge Won’t Toss Lawsuit Filed By Family of Florida Publix Employee Who Died of COVID-19

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On February 5, 2021, a judge in Florida refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the family of a Publix Super Markets deli worker who died after allegedly catching COVID-19 from a coworker. Judge Carlos Lopez announced that he would not dismiss the lawsuit filed by Gerardo Gutierrez’s family, who died on April 28, 2020, from complications caused by coronavirus. The suit was filed in the Florida Circuit Court for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:40-04:00May 14, 2021|Nursing Law Blog|

Federal Judge Tells Florida Pediatric Group It Must Face Nurse’s EEOC Suit

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On November 4, 2020, a Florida federal court judge ruled that a Tampa-based pediatric medical group cannot escape a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuit, denying its attempts to dismiss the case. According to the federal agency, Pediatric Health Care Alliance unlawfully retaliated against a nurse after the nurse reported a doctor for sexual harassment. U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber denied the medical group’s motion to dismiss, saying it neglected to confront or defend […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:40-04:00May 13, 2021|Pharmacy Law Blog|

Judge Sides With AdventHealth, Allows Fraud Claims Over $57.5 Million PPE Deal to Move Forward

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On February 23, 2021, a federal court in Orlando, Florida, ruled that Adventist Health System Sunbelt (now known as AdventHealth, and which owns Florida Hospital, among others) could pursue claims it has over a bad $57.5 million deal to buy personal protective equipment (PPE). The defendants whom the hospital system is suing include Tomax Capital Management, Inc. (“Tomax”), a California corporation; a California attorney and his law firm; and others.

U.S. District Judge […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:40-04:00May 7, 2021|Nursing Law Blog|

How Medical Information Bureau (MIB) Reports Affect Your Insurance Rates

By Amanda I. Forbes, J.D.

When you apply for insurance, an insurance company will look at various factors regarding your history to determine how much your insurance policy will cost. Most insurers obtain a report from the Medical Information Bureau (“MIB”) and use this in determining the risk you pose and, hence, your policy premium.

The MIB checks past records to identify any errors, misrepresentations, or omissions made on an insurance application. An MIB report is similar to a credit report except it is specifically tailored for the insurance process. Click here to learn more.

What Does the MIB […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:40-04:00May 6, 2021|Massage Law Blog|

Colorado Board of Pharmacy Must Hand Over Patient Identifying Data to DEA Says Judge

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On April 22, 2020, a federal judge ordered the Colorado Board of Pharmacy to give the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) prescription drug monitoring program data on two pharmacies that the DEA is investigating. The data includes patient identifying information of more than 14,000 patients. The state must turn over the data by May 15, 2020, according to the order.

Pharmacy Investigations.

Citing concerns about the two pharmacies’ handling of controlled-substance prescriptions, the DEA issued subpoenas under the Controlled Substances Act in 2019. The DEA requested the information as part of an […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:40-04:00May 4, 2021|Health Facilities Law Blog|

Psychologists and Health Professional License Applications: Do’s & Don’ts

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The process of obtaining a medical or health professional license can be challenging and time-consuming. When seeking initial licensure or applying for a license in another state, you should be aware of delays in the application process due to the investigation of credentials and past practice, as well as the need to comply with licensing standards.

Here is a List of Examples That Would Delay Your Application:

• Disciplinary or academic actions during postgraduate training […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:40-04:00April 30, 2021|Mental Health Law Blog|

Florida Court Agrees With University of Miami, Tosses Medical Malpractice Suit

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On October 28, 2020, a Florida appeals court tossed out a medical malpractice suit accusing a University of Miami doctor of providing negligent treatment at a public teaching hospital. A panel of the Florida Third District Court of Appeal upheld a circuit judge’s ruling that the university is protected by sovereign immunity when faculty members provide care at Jackson Memorial Hospital, a teaching hospital.

Background of the Suit.

The ruling arose out […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:41-04:00April 29, 2021|Pharmacy Law Blog|

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About The Health Law Firm

Former University of Florida Professor and Researcher Charged With Fraud and Hiding China Ties

Impaired Practitioner Programs: What You Need to Know if You’ve Been Accused

Three Charged For $109 Million Medicare Fraud Plot and HIPAA Violations

Judge Won’t Toss Lawsuit Filed By Family of Florida Publix Employee Who Died of COVID-19

Federal Judge Tells Florida Pediatric Group It Must Face Nurse’s EEOC Suit

Judge Sides With AdventHealth, Allows Fraud Claims Over $57.5 Million PPE Deal to Move Forward

How Medical Information Bureau (MIB) Reports Affect Your Insurance Rates

Colorado Board of Pharmacy Must Hand Over Patient Identifying Data to DEA Says Judge

Psychologists and Health Professional License Applications: Do’s & Don’ts

Florida Court Agrees With University of Miami, Tosses Medical Malpractice Suit

Background of the Suit.