|
|
|
Blue Cross Accused Of Deceptive Practices
Headline Legal News |
2009/08/03 09:10
|
According to Courthouse News, a federal RICO complaint accuses Blue Cross/Anthem of a wide-ranging deceptive scheme to underpay claims from out-of-network hospitals. Methodist Hospital of Southern California claims Blue Cross refuses to let it transfer patients from emergency rooms, then underpays the hospital and sticks patients with hefty bills, claiming the patients "requested" to stay put, though it was Blue Cross that made the decision.
The scheme follows a well established pattern, according to the hospital, which quit the Blue Cross network in 2008, citing low payback rates that were "onerous and one-sided in favor of Blue Cross."
The hospital is still required by law to treat any Blue Cross patient brought to its emergency room with life-threatening injuries. After the patient is stabilized the hospital must call Blue Cross to ask if it wants the patient transferred to an in-network hospital.
In nearly every instance, the hospital says, Blue Cross refused to transfer the patient to an in-network hospital, then underpaid the Methodist Hospital for care, in wildly fluctuating amounts, sticking the hospital and the patient with an unfair financial burden. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Man On Riding Lawnmower Charged With DUI
Headline Legal News |
2009/08/02 14:36
|
According to the Associated Press, with a revoked license because of a previous drunken-driving conviction, Dennis Cretton shouldn't drive. But authorities said that didn't stop the 49-year-old man from drunkenly driving up to a gas station for more beer -- on his yellow riding lawnmower.
Cretton was charged with felony aggravated driving under the influence after neighbors reported he was weaving in and out of traffic on his lawnmower last week.
When deputies tried to stop him,authorities said Bretton drove the mower into his home's front yard, his 12-pack of Milwaukee's Best spilling onto the ground along the way.
Pittsburgh DUI attorney Gerald B. McNamara can assist you should you ever find yourself with a DUI or DWI in Pittsburgh. This DWI lawyer will help you understand DUI law and do what it takes to clear you of the charges. Contact him today. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Insurance Whistleblower Urges Obama Health Chiefs To Join Him
Headline Legal News |
2009/08/01 13:10
|
According to a news release from Consumer Watchdog, in private and public messages to federal Office of Reform chief Nancy Ann DeParle, insurance whistle-blower Wendell Potter has urged a White House presence at a Los Angeles stadium next week where medical volunteers will offer health care services to uninsured and underinsured people who can't afford to see a doctor.
The eight-day event, starting next Tuesday, is sponsored by the Tennessee-based Remote Area Medical (RAM), which was founded to provide medical aid in the Third World. The group now also sponsors mass health care events in the US, attended by thousands seeking medical care. The event at the Inglewood Forum, former home of the Lakers basketball team, is RAM's first such urban expedition.
If you are considering blowing the whistle on your company, you may want to consider a whistleblower lawyer. The Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer Mike Khouri can represent you. He is a nationally-recognized qui tam Los Angeles attorney. Set up a consultaton today. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
State Government Can't Sue Itself, Court Rules
Headline Legal News |
2009/07/31 08:52
|
According to Courthouse News, an Indiana agency that protects the interests of patients with developmental disabilities can't sue the state's social services administration to obtain the medical records of a mentally ill patient who died, the 7th Circuit ruled.
A branch of state government cannot draw on federal civil rights laws to sue another branch of government, the Chicago-based appeals court decided. "Yet that is exactly what Advocacy Services is trying to do," Chief Judge Easterbrook wrote. "This suit might as well be captioned Indiana v. Indiana."
Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services sued the LaRue Carter Memorial Hospital and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, along with various state officials, over the state-run hospital's refusal to turn over medical records of a deceased patient who was mentally ill.
Advocacy Services, which oversees federal grant money for people with developmental disabilities, was looking for evidence of abuse that could be used to spur medical improvements. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Care Legislation Back On Track
Headline Legal News |
2009/07/30 09:00
|
Courthouse News reports that disagreements between House Democrats that stalled the progress of health-care reform legislation were bridged Wednesday with a White House-orchestrated compromise that cuts the cost of the bill and delays the vote.
"I'm especially grateful that so many members, including some Blue Dogs on the Energy and Commerce Committee, are working so hard to find common ground," President Barack Obama said.
Of the five committees charged with working on health-care reform, the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate Finance Committee are the only ones that have not yet agreed to legislation.
The energy committee, after a 10-day impasse, has returned to marking up the bill, and is expected to agree to a bill by the end of the week after Democratic leaders compromised with more conservative Democrats.
The agreement would shrink the overall cost of health-care reform, and it would also push a floor vote on the legislation until after the August recess. |
|
|
|
|
|
Legal News RSS Feed
