CMS has published a Proposed Rule to clarify how physicians are to bill for services furnished “incident to” the professional services of a physician.
When a medical practice bills Medicare “incident to” for NPP services (i.e. “non-physician practitioners” such as nurses or physician assistants), the bill is rendered by the physician using the physician’s NPI
On November 10, 2014, the US Department of Health and Human Services released its investigation report regarding the death of actress and comedian Joan Rivers. The report, called a “Statement of Deficiencies and Plan of Correction”, highlights numerous mistakes and violations made by Yorkville Endoscopy, the treating facility where Ms. Rivers died (Ms. Rivers
An interesting SDNY settlement agreement resolves some False Claims Act allegations, but leaves others for another day. Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNS) paid just under $35 million to the United States and New York State to settle allegations that VNS improperly billed Medicaid for 1,740 members whose needs did not qualify for a
Columbia University agreed to pay $9 million this week in settlement of a SDNY False Claims Act case alleging that it had submitted false claims in connection with federal grants funding AIDS and HIV related work. Columbia was the grant administrator on behalf of ICAP, an entity that received millions of dollars in federal grants
When does the 60-day clock start for an identified overpayment of federal funds to become a reverse false claim under amendments to the False Claims Act? A closely watched SDNY qui tam case may provide an answer.
In June, the United States and New York intervened in United States v. Continuum Health Partners, Inc.,
Physicians often practice through a limited liability entity to shield the physician from practice liabilities. In New York, such entities may take the form of a professional service corporation, professional limited liability company, or professional limited liability partnership. Regardless of the type of entity selected, professionals in New York remain “personally and fully liable and
At the end of June, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan filed a False Claims Act complaint against Beth Israel Medical Center, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, and Continuum Health Partners, United States v. Continuum Health Partners, Inc., alleging that defendants had knowingly failed to return overpayments owed to Medicaid arising out of a
The New York Court of Appeals decided last week, in Handler v. DiNapoli, that the State Comptroller has the authority to review the billing records of a non-participating provider receiving funds from the State’s primary health benefit plan, even though the payment of state funds is made indirectly.
New York State provides health
A recent SDNY False Claims Act decision provides strong support for the argument that a false claim may not be based on conduct that follows federal or state rules and guidelines.
In United States ex rel. Doe v. Taconic Hills Central School District, relators alleged that the New York City Department of Education (“DOE”)
At the end of January, the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS-OIG”) released its 2014 Work Plan. The Work Plan summarizes new and ongoing reviews and activities that HHS-OIG plans to pursue with respect to HHS programs and operations in the coming year. Senior HHS-OIG officials outlined