Federal Officials Sue Tennessee Nursing Home Company For Poor Care, False Payment Claims
The U.S. attorney's office alleges in the lawsuit that Vanguard Healthcare falsified claims for skilled nursing home services that were "either non-existent or grossly substandard," The Tennessean reports. Also in the news, two psychologists plead guilty to defrauding Medicare, and a Florida doctor accused of fraud is selling his practice.
Tennessean:
Feds: Patients Suffered In Nursing Home Fraud Case
The federal government has sued Brentwood-based nursing home company Vanguard Healthcare LLC., alleging the company submitted false claims to Medicare and TennCare on behalf of its senior residents and failed to provide them with even basic nursing services. Moreover, the lawsuit alleges residents suffered "pressure ulcers, falls, dehydration, and malnutrition, among other harms" due to lack of care. (Buie, 9/7)
The Associated Press:
2 Psychologists Plead Guilty In $25 Million Medicare Scam
Psychologists from Louisiana and Mississippi admitted participating in a $25 million Medicare scam by billing for unnecessary or nonexistent tests on nursing home patients across the Southeast, federal authorities said Wednesday. As part of their guilty pleas, Beverly Stubblefield, 62, of Slidell, Louisiana, and John Teal, 46, of Jackson, Mississippi, admitted they're responsible for more than $5.6 million in fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare, according to a Department of Justice news release. (9/7)
New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Slidell Psychologist Pleads Guilty In Medicare Fraud Scheme
A Slidell psychologist pleaded guilty Wednesday (Sept. 7) in a multi-million dollar scheme to defraud Medicare by charging for services to nursing homes that were unnecessary or never performed. Beverly Stubblefield, 62, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud before U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier of the Eastern District of Louisiana. (Chatelain, 9/7)
The Wall Street Journal:
Florida Cardiologist Trying To Sell Practice After Medicare Accusations
A Florida cardiologist accused of charging Medicare for medically unnecessary procedures is preparing to sell his business. Lawyers for Asad Qamar asked a bankruptcy judge to set an Oct. 7 deadline for buyers to submit bids for the Institute for Cardiovascular Excellence’s two locations in Ocala and Summerfield, according to court papers. (Stech, 9/7)