Compliance News Roundup: What You Don't Want to Miss At HCCA's Compliance Institute

1. Administrator of Miami - Area Home Health Agency Sentenced to 126 Months in Prison for Involvement in $2.5 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme - Today, the administrator of a Miami-area home health agency was sentenced to a 126 month prison term for his role in a $2.5 million Medicare fraud scheme. Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Division and Special Agent in Charge Shimon Richmond of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Miami Regional Office made the announcement. Read more here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/administrator-miami-area-home-health-agency-sentenced-126-months-prison-involvement-25

2. Verdict reached in False Claims Act whistleblower suit against Consulate Health Care - A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida agreed with Angela Ruckh, formerly of La Vie Management, that the providers listed in the case presented “false or fraudulent” claims for reimbursement. Those false claims incurred more than $115 million in total damages to the Medicaid and Medicare program, according to court documents. Read more here: http://www.mcknights.com/news/verdict-reached-in-false-claims-act-whistleblower-suit-against-consulate-health-care/article/638629/

3. Deeper Than The Headlines: What You Don’t Want To Miss At HCCA’s Compliance Institute - If you’re anything like me, you are really looking forward to the HCCA’s annual Compliance Institute this month in National Harbor, MD. In addition to seeing colleagues and networking, it is such a great place to hear multiple perspectives on healthcare compliance. When I received the brochure I was like a kid in a candy store trying to decide which sessions I’m going to attend. I am fortunate to be able to speak at the event this year (W11—“Building Your Toolbox to Manage Conflict of Interest: Sunshine, Open Payments, and Investigations”), but the real fun comes in hearing my fellow compliance professionals share their knowledge. And though we should not judge a book by it's cover, I couldn’t help but take this opportunity to highlight some sessions, that from their descriptions at least, sound pretty interesting to me. Read more here: http://www.healthicity.com/blog/dth-series-what-you-dont-want-to-miss-at-hccas-compliance-institute