Manager of Dental Office Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Medicaid Out of More Than $813,000
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On October 1, 2021, a former dental office manager was sentenced to 12 months in prison for her role in a Medicaid fraud scheme. Mahsa Azimirad, was the office manager for Universal Smiles, a D.C.-based dental practice, according […]
Dental Office Manager Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Defrauding Medicaid Out of More Than $813,000
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On October 1, 2021, a former dental office manager was sentenced to 12 months in prison for her role in a Medicaid fraud scheme. Mahsa Azimirad, was the office manager for Universal Smiles, a D.C.-based dental practice, according […]
Psychiatric Practice, Owner Agree to Pay $310,000 in FCA Settlement for Employing Doctor on OIG Exclusion List
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On February 23, 2022, a psychiatric practice and its owner agreed to pay $310,874 to resolve allegations they improperly hired and employed a physician who was excluded from federal healthcare programs. The physician who was hired was on […]
Licensed Professional Counselor Sentenced to Prison for $1.3 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On March 13, 2022, a licensed professional counselor (LPC) was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for defrauding the Connecticut Medicaid Program of more than $1.3 million, announced the U.S. Attorney for the U.S. District of Connecticut. […]
Psychiatric Practice to Pay $310,000 in FCA Settlement for Employing Doctor on OIG Exclusion List
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On February 23, 2022, a psychiatric practice and its owner agreed to pay $310,874 to resolve allegations they improperly hired and employed a physician who was excluded from federal healthcare programs. The physician who was hired was on […]
Psychiatric Practice Reaches Settlement in FCA Suit to End Allegations of Employing Physician on OIG Exclusion List
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On February 23, 2022, a psychiatric practice and its owner agreed to pay $310,874 to resolve allegations they improperly hired and employed a physician who was excluded from federal healthcare programs. The physician who was hired was on […]
Owner of Psychiatry Practice Pays Hefty Settlement in FCA Case for Employing Doc on OIG Exclusion List
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On February 23, 2022, a psychiatric practice and its owner agreed to pay $310,874 to resolve allegations they improperly hired and employed a physician who was excluded from federal healthcare programs. The physician who was hired was on […]
Psychiatric Practice Pays $310,000 in FCA Settlement for Employing Physician on OIG Exclusion List
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On February 23, 2022, a psychiatric practice and its owner agreed to pay $310,874 to resolve allegations they improperly hired and employed a physician who was excluded from federal healthcare programs. The physician who was hired was on […]
Court Assesses $170 Million in Fines Against Two Texas Ophthalmologists For False Claims
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On November 18, 2021, the Justice Department announced that two Texas ophthalmologists and their eye clinic must pay millions of dollars in penalties for fraudulently billing Medicare. The penalties were assessed in connection with their evaluation and treatment […]
How Can I Be Sure I Don’t Have Employees, Contractors Who Are on Medicare’s Exclusion List?
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We are often consulted by companies in the health care industry and by health professionals after they receive a subpoena or audit regarding their employing or contracting with an individual or business that is on the Office of […]
Florida’s New E-Prescribing Law: How It May Affect You and Your Career
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law In 2019, Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 831 (2019), Electronic Prescribing, into law. The new bill provides important requirements for prescribers to generate and transmit all prescriptions electronically upon their license renewal or by July 1, […]
Mental Health Professionals: You Must Challenge Overpayment Demands from Medicare and Medicaid Audits
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We have gotten calls from many mental health professionals who have been placed on prepayment review after failing to challenge Medicare or Medicaid audit results. Once placed on prepayment review, the payments are held up for many months. […]
Dentists: Challenge Overpayment Demands from Medicare, Medicaid Audits!
During our years of experience, we have gotten many calls from dentists who have been placed on prepayment review after failing to challenge the results of Medicare and Medicaid audits. Once placed on prepayment review, the payments are held up for many months. Some providers are even forced out of business as a result. Failing […]
CMS Announces Final Rule to Reduce Criminal Behavior in Medicare, Medicaid
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On September 5, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that strengthens the ability to stop fraud and abuse before it happens. The “Program Integrity Enhancements to the Provider Enrollment Process” goes […]
Follow These Steps to Challenge OIG Exclusion From Medicare
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Many health professionals don’t understand the significant repercussions that an exclusion action by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) can have on their professional careers and future employment. Whether you are a physician, nurse, dentist, psychologist or […]
The Administrative Process to Challenge OIG Exclusion Actions
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Many health professionals don’t understand the significant repercussions that an exclusion action by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) can have on their professional careers and future employment. Whether you are a physician, nurse, dentist, psychologist or […]
Steps to Challenge OIG Exclusion Action from Medicare Program
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Many health professionals don’t understand the significant repercussions that an exclusion action by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) can have on their professional careers and future employment. Whether you are a physician, nurse, dentist, psychologist or […]
How to Challenge an OIG Exclusion Action from Medicare
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Many health professionals don’t understand the significant repercussions that an exclusion action by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) can have on their professional careers and future employment. Whether you are a physician, nurse, dentist, psychologist or […]
So, the ZPIC Medicare Auditor Wants to Talk to You? What You Should Expect
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law You are a physician, nurse or other health care provider who bills Medicare. You have received that dreaded letter from the Zone Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC) for Medicare advising you that it is auditing you for the Centers […]
Are You Worried About Health Care Compliance Consequences? Have They Gone Too Far?

By Lance O. Leider, J.D., LL.M., The Health Law Firm From large hospital systems to solo practitioners, there is no escaping health care compliance in the industry. The concept of compliance can spark different thoughts in different people. For example, some believe it is an unnecessary government intrusion and others believe it’s a way to […]
Finding an Attorney/Lawyer Who Takes Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance for Psychologists
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We often hear from callers and clients in professional licensing complaints, Department of Health investigations and Board of Psychology, that they had good insurance coverage with Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance, but could not find an attorney […]
What is the corporate practice of optometry and what does it prohibit?
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law The legal doctrine called the “corporate practice of medicine or optometry” actually refers to the legal prohibition that prevents a doctor or an optometrist from working for a corporation (or other business entity) that is owned, operated or […]
Avoid Being Labeled as a “Disruptive Physician” at All Costs
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Although “old news” at this point, on July 9, 2008, the Joint Commission (TJC) published the following alert to health care organizations: Sentinel Event Alert; Issue 40, July 9, 2008 Behaviors That Undermine a Culture of Safety Intimidating […]
Finding an Attorney/Lawyer Who Takes Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance for Pharmacists and Pharmacies
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We often hear from callers and clients in professional licensing complaints, Department of Health investigations and Board of Pharmacy cases, that they had good insurance coverage with Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance, but could not find an […]
Finding an Attorney/Lawyer To Represent Pharmacists and Pharmacies That Take CPH & Associates (CPH&A) Insurance
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We often hear from pharmacists and pharmacy owners who call and retain us to represent them. Often these pharmacists and pharmacy owners retain us after adverse disciplinary action has already been taken against their licenses or DEA registrations. […]
CMS Woes: Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs) Criticized for Oversight in Fraud Investigations
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPIC) are private companies or business entities, that have contracted with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Their purpose is to carry out certain functions related to auditing for possible fraud, that […]
Finding an Attorney/Lawyer Who Takes Nurses Service Organization (NSO) Insurance to Defend Nursing Board Complaints
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We often hear from callers and clients in professional licensing complaints, Department of Health investigations and Board of Nursing cases, that they had good insurance coverage with Nurses Service Organization (NSO) Insurance, but could not find an attorney […]
Finding an Attorney/Lawyer Who Takes Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance for Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Owners
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We often hear from callers and clients in professional licensing complaints, Department of Health investigations and the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), that they had good insurance coverage with Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance, but could […]
Florida Doctors and Pharmacists Beware: Gov. Scott Declares State of Emergency for Opioid Abuse Crisis
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On May 3, 2017, Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency to combat Florida’s opioid-addiction epidemic. According to the governor, the number of overdose deaths has reached epidemic proportions. This declaration will allow nearly $30 million […]
New DOJ Memo Shifting Government Policy in False Claims Act Cases Should make Healthcare Providers Happy!
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On January 29, 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) released a new internal memorandum that we believe signals a backing-off of government support for False Claims Act cases. The memorandum sent by Associate Attorney General Rachel Brand, […]
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agents May Surprise You at Florida Board of Pharmacy Meeting
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M. Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law At several recent Florida Board meetings, after hearings at which disciplinary cases were considered by the Board, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents approached the health professional. Even in instances where the pharmacist was represented by an attorney and […]
Finding an Attorney/Lawyer Who Takes Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance for Massage Therapists
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We often hear from callers and clients in professional licensing complaints, Department of Health investigations and Board of Massage Therapy, that they had good insurance coverage with Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance, but could not find an […]
Finding an Attorney/Lawyer Who Takes CPH & Associates (CPH&A) Insurance To Represent Massage Therapists in Complaint Investigations
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We often hear from massage therapists who call and retain us to represent them in complaints against their masage therapy licenses in professional licensing complaints. This includes letters from the Department of Health (DOH) advising them that they […]
Finding an Attorney/Lawyer Who Takes Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance for Mental Health Counselors and Social Workers
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We often hear from callers and clients in professional licensing complaints, Department of Health investigations and Board of Mental Health, that they had good insurance coverage with Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance, but could not find an […]
Mental Health Counselors and Social Workers Should Not Have Difficulty in Finding A, Attorney/layer Who Takes Cph & Associates (CPH&A) Insurance to Represent Them in Complaint Investigations
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We often hear from Mental Health Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists and Family Therapists who call and retain us to represent them in complaints against their professional licenses in professional licensing complaints. This includes letters from the Department of […]
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agents May Surprise You at Florida Board of Nursing Meeting
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M. Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law At several recent Florida Board meetings, after hearings at which disciplinary cases were considered by the Board, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents approached the health professional. Even in instances where the nurse was represented by an attorney and […]