Walmart Announces Pay Raise For Thousands of Pharmacists and Opticians
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On May 31, 2023, Walmart announced it is raising wages for 7,700 U.S. pharmacists and opticians in a nationwide plan to expand healthcare services. The retailer said about 3,700 pharmacists would get a bump in pay, bringing their total average pay to more than […]
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Prison for HIV Drug Fraud Scheme; $230 Million Lost to Fraud
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On June 15, 2023, a United States District Judge sentenced a Florida man to 15 years in prison for his role in an HIV prescription drug fraud scheme that amassed more than $230 million in two years. The defendant was […]
Harvard Med School Morgue Director Allegedly Sold Body Parts, Class Action Alleges
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law In a morbid, but extremely popular class action lawsuit filed on June 16, 2023, illegal body parts sales was alleged. The lawsuit was filed against Harvard University and contained allegations that its morgue manager was selling body parts from 350-400 donated cadavers. […]
Medications and Other Substances that Mimic Prohibited Drugs on Urinalysis Drug Tests (Part 1 of a Blog Series)
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law In representing nurses and other licensed health professionals, we constantly discuss positive drug screenings, usually from employer-ordered drug testing, with our clients. These clients include nurses, pharmacists, dental professionals, mental health counselors, therapists, etc. Often these individuals need to remember that if they apply for […]
Supreme Court Says FCA Case Liability Requires Defendants’ Subjective Belief
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law In a precedential decision that leaves the whistleblower plaintiffs bar reeling, on June 1, 2023, the Supreme Court handed down an opinion on the knowledge standard required in False Claims Act (FCA) cases. In a unanimous ruling, the high court said liability of defendants […]
Florida Lawyer Says AHCA Medicaid Final Orders Must Be Accessible Online
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has come under fire for failing to make Medicaid final orders easily accessible to the public. On April 11, 2023, an attorney asked a Florida appeals court to revive her suit against AHCA, trying to force AHCA into compliance […]
20 Tips for Medicare Audit Preparation & Contractor Visit
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law When a healthcare provider receives notice of an audit or site visit from Medicare, the Medicare Administrative Carrier (MAC), or the Integrity Contractor, they must act quickly. These auditing organizations tend to move swiftly, with little warning and even less opportunity for preparation. Below is […]
Jury Finds Miami Clinical Drug Trial Company Not Guilty in Research Fraud Case
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On May 19, 2023, jurors rendered a verdict to federal prosecutors in a trial against executives from a Miami clinical drug trial company and a local doctor. The CEO of Tellus Clinical Research and one employee were found not guilty […]