Compliance News Roundup: The DOJ Reminds You to be Compliant

1. Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty in Compounding Pharmacy Fraud Scheme – “A Mississippi-based nurse practitioner pleaded guilty for her role in a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs including TRICARE, the health care benefit program serving U.S. military, veterans and their respective family members. Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst Jr. of the Southern District of Mississippi, Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze of the FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi Field Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Holloman III of IRS Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) New Orleans Field Office and Special Agent in Charge John F. Khin of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service’s (DCIS) Southeast Field Office made the announcement.” Get the full scoop >>

2. Signature HealthCARE to Pay More Than $30 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Related to Rehabilitation Therapy – “Signature HealthCARE, LLC (Signature), a Louisville, Kentucky based company that owns and operates approximately 115 skilled nursing facilities, including 7 in middle Tennessee, has agreed to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims to Medicare for rehabilitation therapy services that were not reasonable, necessary and skilled, the Department of Justice announced today. The settlement also resolves allegations that Signature submitted forged pre-admission certifications of patient need for skilled nursing to the state of Tennessee’s Medicaid program. Under the settlement agreements, Signature has agreed to pay more than $30 million. As part of the resolution, the State of Tennessee will receive a portion of the overall settlement.” Get the full scoop >>

3. Deeper Than The Headlines: The DOJ Reminds You to be Compliant – “On June 14, 2018, the Acting Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio delivered remarks at the American Bar Association’s 12th National Institute on the Civil False Claims Act and Qui Tam Enforcement. For those of us in healthcare compliance, we know the FCA and the whistleblowers (qui tam relators) who bring most of the FCA cases to the government’s attention are a major reason many organizations have implemented compliance programs. And regardless of the reason why your organization’s compliance program exists, the FCA is something you need to be concerned about.” Get the full scoop >>