This past week, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of ten additional defendants – doctors, pharmacy owners, and marketers – charged in connection with an alleged $100 million compounded pain and scar cream scam on TriCare. The ten join two other defendants charged in the same scheme earlier this year. The government alleges…
It was late December. I was sitting across the table from the hospital CEO. We were in the midst of negotiating a deal involving my client, a large physician group, and his facility. And then, he made a major negotiating blunder, giving up on a deal point clearly in my client’s favor, in fact, a…
All-Points Bulletin: Be on the lookout for the following suspect: No race. No sex. No height. No weight. Approximately zero to 6 years of age. Name unknown. Alias: Suspect Joint Venture. If seen, contact OIG or DOJ. Or, just blow the whistle and claim a bounty. As healthcare moves from the hospital setting to an…
The federal Anti-Kickback Statute (the “AKS”) makes it a crime to pay remuneration to induce a referral of a federal health care program patient. Many mistakenly believe that the AKS focuses only on cash remuneration, as in “here’s $100 for the case.” They believe that it’s somehow okay for a referral-receiving physician or group to…
I know. In light of tons of illegal profits, complying with the federal anti-kickback law (“AKS”) is a hard sell.
I know. In light of tons of illegal profits, complying with the federal anti-kickback law (“AKS”) is a hard sell. But, it’s easier than a prison cell. And better than paying a $125 million fine.