In the Know | The Health Law Firm Blog

CVS Possibly Under Investigation for Medicare Fraud

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

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reportedly launched an investigation into CVS’ practice for refilling prescriptions. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, authorities are looking into reports that CVS has been refilling prescriptions and submitting insurance claims without patients’ permission. The Los Angeles Times article, released October 12, 2012, names an official with knowledge of this matter as the source.

We want to emphasize that this is from an unconfirmed news story. The government rarely announces […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:38-04:00June 1, 2018|Health Care Industry, In the Know, In the News, Pharmaceutical Drugs, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|

New England Compounding Pharmacy Linked to Meningitis Outbreak Suspected of Violated License

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

The compounding pharmacy behind the meningitis outbreak was allegedly not following the requirements of its state license, according to the Massachusetts Department of Health (DOH) in a released statement on October 10, 2012.

To read the entire statement from the Massachusetts DOH, click here.

The New England Compounding Center (NECC) shipped more than 17,000 vials of a steroid to pain clinics in 23 states, including Florida. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now reporting 214 cases of meningitis and 15 deaths associated with […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:39-04:00June 1, 2018|DEA, In the Know, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Boca Raton Compounding Pharmacy Shuts Its Doors After Receiving an Emergency Suspension Order

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

On October 26, 2012, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) issued an emergency suspension order (ESO) against a Boca Raton compounding pharmacy, according to a number of sources. The DOH in a press release called the conditions in the pharmacy so “deplorable” that nothing short of immediately shutting down the pharmacy would suffice.

Click here to read the press release from the DOH.

Rodent Feces, Dead Bugs and a Sink Full of Dirty Water all Found at Compounding Pharmacy.

On October 12, 2012, a state inspector arrived at […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:39-04:00June 1, 2018|Department of Health, In the Know, Pharmaceutical Drugs, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Fake Occupational Therapist Accused of Working in a Number of Local Hospitals

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

A Kissimmee, Florida, man is accused of posing as an occupational therapist (OT) and working at various health care facilities in Central Florida, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). On October 16, 2012, the DOJ announced that the phony OT was charged with three counts of mail fraud, five counts of wire fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Click here to see the press release from the DOJ.

Phony OT Worked in Hospitals Around Central Florida.

The fake OT allegedly took the license numbers of two legitimate OTs and stole the social security number […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:39-04:00June 1, 2018|Fake Health Care Professionals, Health Care Industry, In the Know, Licensing issues, The Health Law Firm Blog|

American Hospital Association (AHA) Sues U.S. Government for Denied Medicare Payments by RACs, ZPICs and Other Auditors

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

On November 1, 2012, the American Hospital Association (AHA) filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) claiming that private auditors hired to crack down on improper Medicare payments are denying hospitals millions of dollars in medically necessary care, this is according to a number of sources. The AHA is seeking a court order declaring the practice invalid, saying it violates the Medicare Act.

Four hospital systems in Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania have joined the AHA as plaintiffs in the suit. The suit has been filed […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:39-04:00June 1, 2018|Department of Health, In the Know, In the News, Medicare, Medicare Audit, The Health Law Firm Blog|

University of Miami Employee Allegedly Caught Red Handed Stealing More Than $14 Million in Cancer Drugs

By Michael L. Smith, J.D., R.R.T., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

For three years, hundreds of life-saving cancer drugs disappeared from the shelves of the University of Miami’s (UM) Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. A pharmacy technician at the center was arrested in connection to the thefts in May of 2011, and is accused of stealing more than $14 million in cancer drugs, according to the Miami Herald. The pharmacy tech faces four counts of grand theft, two counts of trafficking in contraband prescription drugs and one count of dealing in stolen property.

To read the entire article from the […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:39-04:00June 1, 2018|In the Know, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Fake Pharmacist Sentenced to Prison for Working in Central Florida Pharmacies

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

On November 2, 2012, a former Altamonte Springs resident was sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for fraudulently working as a Central Florida pharmacist from 2000 to 2009, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Click here to read the press release from the DOJ.

I previously blogged about this story when the fake pharmacist pleaded guilty. Click here to read that blog.

Phony Pharmacist Worked at Central Florida Pharmacies Including CVS and Walgreens.

According to an article in the […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:39-04:00June 1, 2018|DEA, Department of Health, Fake Health Care Professionals, In the Know, Pharmacy, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Posing as Physician Assistant Lands Kissimmee Teen Behind Bars for One Year

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

The Kissimmee, Florida, teen found guilty in August 2012 for impersonating a physician assistant (P.A.) faced up to 20 years in prison for two counts of impersonation and two counts of practicing without a license. On November 14, 2012, the teen was sentenced to one year in jail by an Osceola County judge.

The phony P.A. was given credit for his 264 days already served in jail, so he will only have to spend the remaining 101 days behind bars. The judge ordered the teen to receive mental health counseling, and he will also serve […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:39-04:00June 1, 2018|Fake Health Care Professionals, In the Know, In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Industry Trend: Hospital Systems Merging and Acquiring Private Practices All Over the Country

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

There’s a structural shift that is sweeping the health care system – hospitals are acquiring private physician practices. It is happening all over the U.S., including right here in Central Florida. On December 31, 2012, Orlando Health – a nonprofit, multi-hospital system that owns Orlando Regional Medical Center and eight other hospitals – will allegedly merge with Physician Associates – Central Florida’s largest medical practice, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The alleged price tag on this sale is $50 million, with each of the group’s 95 physicians receiving about $500,000 a piece.

Critics Believe […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:40-04:00June 1, 2018|In the Know, In the News, Physician Contracts, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Contracting 101: Tips for Physicians and Health Professionals – Part 5

By Christopher E. Brown, J.D., and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
This blog is the fifth in a series intended to provide an introductory review of the basics of contracting for physicians and health professionals, primarily by discussing employment agreements. We will highlight many of the common provisions found in employment contracts, along with many of the mistakes and pitfalls that we see in our day-to-day practice.

By the end of the series it is our hope that physicians and other health professionals will understand the common language and terms found in employment contracts for professionals so they […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:40-04:00June 1, 2018|In the Know, Physician Contracts, The Health Law Firm Blog|