A ruling on a Texas-led lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act is imminent. The suit is a Republican-backed effort to eliminate the entire law after Congress failed to do so in 2017. Because state leaders asked that the lawsuit essentially … Read More
10-21-2019 | Audit (A-06-16-01001) | Complete Report | Report in Brief Why OIG Did This Review Federal regulations effective July 1, 2011, prohibit Medicaid payments for services related to treating provider-preventable conditions (PPCs). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services … Read More
OAK BROOK, Ill. (WLS) — Several patients of a dentist in Oak Brook, who dug deep into their pockets to pay for crowns and implants, said they were left unable to eat normally or even smile after his work. Dr. … Read More
Last night, Texas State Medicaid Director, Stephanie Muth, announced that she would be stepping down from her position in the agency. Muth began her career in Texas government nearly 20 years ago as a Legislative Aide in the Texas House … Read More
With the plea of an 80-year-old Houston man, all 14 charged in the scam involving Continuum Healthcare and its various health centers have been convicted, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Bobby Rouse admitted to conspiring to pay and receive … Read More
Health insurers Anthem, Cigna Corp. and Molina Healthcare stand to lose millions in premium revenue after losing ground in the Texas Medicaid Star+Plus program, a managed care program worth nearly $10 billion in premium revenue for managed care organizations. The … Read More
Texas saw a significant increase in the number of uninsured children in a two-year period, according to a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Researchers at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families found 121,000 fewer children in … Read More
A South Texas doctor has been indicted on charges that he prescribed opioid painkillers to two patients without legitimate medical reasons, resulting in their deaths. A federal grand jury in Del Rio added the charges last week against Alfonso Luevano, … Read More
CHARLESTON — A $700 million multi-state settlement to resolve allegations that the maker of Suboxone improperly marketed and promoted the drug in its distribution was announced on Thursday by the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office. It is the first settlement … Read More
HOUSTON, TX — With the plea of a 46-year-old Houston man, 13 people now stand convicted in the healthcare scam involving Continuum Healthcare and its various health centers in the Houston area, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Steven Houseworth … Read More
Pine Creek Medical Center, assailed by unprofitability, failures in patient care and accusations of fraud, quietly shut down this past summer. Signs posted on the front doors of the 15-bed hospital said it had closed July 24 and directed anyone … Read More
Currently, there is a drastic decline in the number of health insured children in the United States. Sources report that Medicaid is dropping more and more of its clients without hesitation due to unrealistic paperwork deadlines. The New York Times … Read More
HOUSTON, TEXAS — Police confiscated dental equipment from a west Houston office and arrested two people who were allegedly practicing dentistry without a license. Carolina Flores-Paz, 36, and Enrique Eduardo Alvarez, 47, were arrested Monday at Delta Image Makers in … Read More
HARLINGEN — On a daily basis, pediatric dentist Linda Burke works toward helping children gain healthy teeth and beautiful smiles. Soon, she will begin using her years of experience and skills toward monitoring and ensuring the health of patients throughout … Read More
SAN MARCOS – Texas State University has received a $785,000 grant from the National Institute of Justice to improve understanding of age-related skeletal and dental traits, which will aid in the identification of unknown human remains. Kate Spradley, a professor … Read More
Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, one of the United States’ oldest and most respected nonprofit health insurance plans, is accused of bilking Medicare out of millions of dollars in a federal whistleblower case. Teresa Ross, a former medical billing manager … Read More
A 44-year-old McAllen woman has been charged with conspiring to pay illegal kickbacks to physicians and marketers in exchange for the referral of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. A federal grand jury returned the indictment, … Read More
AUSTIN – Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Dr. Courtney N. Phillips today announced key additions to HHSC’s leadership team who will help guide the agency’s health programs and communications efforts. “These three individuals bring tremendous strength, knowledge and … Read More
LUBBOCK, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) – Dr. Robert Ioppolo of Hill & Ioppolo Oral & Facial Surgery launches his third annual Smiles For Soldiers program that will provide a veteran or active soldier in the Lubbock community with a brand-new smile … Read More
HOUSTON — A Harris County woman is suing a Houston dentist, alleging her implants were installed negligently and caused complications. Susana Herrera filed a complaint Sept. 9 in Harris County District Court against Dr. Raoul Hanna and Hanna Dental Implant … Read More
October 16, 2019 — Henry Schein was cleared of conspiracy charges in an October 16 ruling by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). However, fellow defendants Patterson Companies and Benco were found to have conspired to refuse to offer discounted … Read More
October 15, 2019 — In DrBicuspid.com’s latest list of the largest dental service organizations (DSOs) in the U.S., the three largest ones have continued to add affiliated practices. Heartland Dental, Aspen Dental, and Pacific Dental have all added about 40 … Read More
HOUSTON (Covering Fort Bend News) – Two nurses, one a Richmond resident, are set to appear in federal court on charges they defrauded Medicare of more than $2.1 million, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick. The indictment, returned under seal Oct. … Read More
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas wants to do more than just pay health care bills. The state’s largest health insurer is getting into the provider business. Its goal is to lower health costs, improve care and reach some of … Read More
Years before Hattiesburg businessman Wade Walters was indicted on 37 charges related to a $510 million health care fraud, his name circulated in federal documents as one of four people who planned and orchestrated the plot. In earlier court documents, … Read More
Texas has the worst rate uninsured people in the country for the second year in a row, according to information released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Texas was one of only nine states to see an increase in the number … Read More
An economic incentive agreement between the city of Kyle and SmileDirectClub’s Access Dental Lab will bring 850 jobs to the city of Kyle via the Hays Logistics Center, an industrial development near I-35. The agreement was formally approved at a … Read More
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost joined other states and the federal government in announcing a settlement with Avanir Pharmaceuticals over allegations that the company paid kickbacks to medical professionals and engaged in off-label marketing tactics to promote its flagship drug … Read More
A federal jury in Texas found a physician who was the owner and operator of a medical clinic in Houston, Texas, guilty today of participating in a $16 million Medicare fraud scheme in which she signed false and fraudulent “plans … Read More
Washington (CNN)Energy Secretary Rick Perry plans to leave his post in the Trump administration by December, according to The Washington Post and The New York Times. No formal announcement has been made. “While the Beltway media has breathlessly reported on rumors of Secretary Perry’s departure … Read More
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – A dentist from Virginia Beach has been sentenced to 8 years and six months in prison for an opioid fraud scheme that went on from 2014 to 2018. According to court documents, 48-year-old Gary Hartman was … Read More
10-01-2019 | Audit (A-05-17-00049) | Complete Report | Report in Brief We estimated that Minnesota made unallowable capitation payments totaling at least $3.7 million ($3.2 million Federal share) to MCOs on behalf of deceased beneficiaries during our audit period. Of … Read More
AUSTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has been notified by the federal government that up to $3.87 billion in funds will be available for Texas each year for the next three years to help reimburse health care … Read More
Seven Floridians including four doctors are among 35 people arrested Friday by the FBI for alleged involvement in a $2.1 billion fraud that charged Medicare for false cancer genomic tests (CGx tests). According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), … Read More
Everyone complains about waste and fraud when it comes to federal spending, but this past week the government did something that could actually save us money – while making our neighbors healthier. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services … Read More
Avanir Pharmaceuticals (Avanir), a pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Aliso Viejo, California, was charged for paying kickbacks to a physician to induce prescriptions of its drug Nuedexta, the Department of Justice announced today. The Northern District of Ohio also announced indictments … Read More
The Dallas-Fort Worth area has the lowest rate of children’s health insurance coverage among the 25 largest metro areas in the United States, according to new census data released Thursday. Across the area, 11.7% of children are uninsured, continuing a … Read More
AUSTIN — A Texas appeals court has dismissed a whistleblower’s lawsuit against the Texas Health and Human Services Commission filed by a former employee who alleged he was fired in retaliation for expressing concern over alleged state law violations and … Read More
LUBBOCK, Texas — On Tuesday, a federal judge partially unsealed a lawsuit against Covenant Health in which Dr. Howard Beck made allegations of Medicare and Medicaid fraud. In September 2016, Beck filed a Qui Tam lawsuit against Covenant. Qui Tam … Read More
