Ex-ambulance service owner gets probation in fraud case
The former owner of a northwest Indiana ambulance service has avoided prison after pleading guilty in a health care fraud case that cost the government of millions of dollars.
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Drug pricing enforcement action against Lilly blocked by federal court
The federal government’s assertion that Eli Lilly and Co. violated a program to offer low-income Medicaid and Medicare patients discounted drugs was tossed by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in a 65-page opinion, which also hinted that Congress needs to address the problems with the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
AP-NORC poll: Government should help Americans age at home
Most Americans agree that government should help people fulfill a widely held aspiration to age in their own homes, not institutional settings, a new poll finds.
Senate gives Biden a big tool to work around GOP filibuster
With a powerful new tool, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has fresh options for potentially advancing President Joe Biden’s infrastructure package and other priorities past Republican obstruction in the 50-50 split Senate.
Senators: Require nursing homes to disclose COVID vaccine data
Nursing homes have to publicly disclose their vaccination rates for flu and pneumonia but there’s no similar mandate for COVID-19 shots, even though the steepest toll from the virus has been among residents of long-term care facilities.
Roche Diagnostics whistleblower wins $3.6M in settlement agreement
A former manager at Roche Diagnostics Corp. who filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the Indianapolis-based company two years ago has won $3.625 million as her reward in a $12.5 million settlement agreement.
State seeks to make it easier for Hoosiers to age at home rather than nursing homes
Indiana officials say they want to make it possible for more Hoosiers to age at home rather than at nursing homes, especially as the pandemic continues to sweep across America.
Nursing home patient, family seek to enforce rights as to care
A case pending before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals brought on behalf of a northwest Indiana man suffering from dementia asks whether a patient in a long-term care facility can enforce rights under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act.
Med-mal plaintiffs reach $66M settlement against northwest Indiana cardiologist
A settlement exceeding $66 million has been announced in favor of more than 260 patients who claimed they were the victims of malpractice at the hands of a northwest Indiana doctor who allegedly performed unnecessary cardiac procedures and device implantations.
Compelled contract? Indiana Supreme Court considers arbitration agreement in nursing home lawsuit
After hearing oral argument on petition to transfer Sept. 24, the court must now decide if it will rule in a dispute filed by an elderly woman and her representative against the Carmel assisted living facility where the woman once lived and an independent contractor hired by the facility who is accused of raping her.
Trump end run around Congress on COVID aid raises questions on his claims
President Donald Trump’s end run around Congress on coronavirus relief is raising questions about whether it would give Americans the economic lifeline he claims and appears certain to face legal challenges. Democrats called it a pre-election ploy that would burden cash-strapped states.
Court strikes down Trump rule that drugmakers disclose price
In a major legal setback for President Donald Trump on a high-profile consumer issue, a federal appeals court has ruled that his administration lacks the legal authority to force drug companies to disclose prices in their TV ads.
Nursing home deaths soar past 3,600 in alarming surge
More than 3,600 deaths nationwide have been linked to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, an alarming rise in just the past two weeks, according to the latest count by The Associated Press.
Justice Department suit alleges Anthem overbilled in its popular Medicare Advantage plans
A new lawsuit alleges that Indianapolis-based Anthem Inc., one of the nation’s largest providers of Medicare Advantage plans for seniors, defrauded the U.S. government of millions of dollars over four years by falsely certifying the accuracy of incorrect diagnosis data from doctors and other health providers.
Community Health accused of improper Medicare claims in federal lawsuit
The United States government has filed a complaint against Community Health Network, alleging the central Indiana health care system submitted false claims to the Medicare program. Community, however, is calling the claims “meritless.”
Overhaul proposed for decades-old Medicare fraud rules
The Trump administration on Wednesday proposed overhauling decades-old Medicare rules originally meant to deter fraud and abuse but now seen as a roadblock to coordinating better care for patients. Two former Indiana health care industry professionals are leading the proposed reforms.
Convicted ex-ASC chief Burkhart loses bid to stay civil lawsuit
The former CEO of a nursing home company now serving prison time for his major role in a corporate fraud scheme has lost his bid to stay additional civil proceedings against him while he fights to have his convictions tossed on the basis of an alleged “profound conflict of interest” on the part of Indianapolis law firm Barnes & Thornburg.
Former Mainscape CEO sentenced in nursing home kickback scheme
A fifth person who played a role in a $19 million kickback scheme involving Indiana nursing homes has been sentenced to probation. David Mazanowski, founder and former CEO of the Fishers-based landscaping firm Mainscape Inc., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one felony count of conspiracy to commit mail, wire and health care fraud. […]