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HIPAA Compliant News Articles and Enforcement

Eight Dallas-Area Pharmacy Owners and Marketers Charged in $9 Million Kickback Scheme

Jan 9, 2019

Eight Dallas, Texas-area pharmacy owners and marketers were charged in an indictment unsealed today for their roles in a scheme involving approximately $92 million in compound drug claims to TRICARE and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which were allegedly the product of over $9.1 million in illegal kickbacks. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski…

$500,000 Fine Imposed on Physicians Group for HIPAA Violations and Not Having a Business Associates Agreement in Place

Dec 11, 2018

Advanced Care Hospitalists PL (ACH) has agreed to pay $500,000 to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and to adopt a substantial corrective action plan to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules. ACH provides contracted…

Burlington, New Jersey, Doctor Arrested for Role in $20 Million Telemedicine Compounded Medication Scheme

Nov 22, 2018

NEWARK, N.J. – A Burlington, New Jersey, man was arrested Friday for his role in a telemedicine scheme to prescribe expensive compounded medications to patients who did not need them, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Dr. Bernard Ogon, 45, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. He made…

Patient Recruiter Convicted in $1.1 Million Kickback Scheme

Nov 14, 2018

On Friday, Nov. 2, a federal jury found a patient recruiter guilty for her role in a scheme involving approximately $1.1 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care that were procured through the payment of kickbacks. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider of…

Texas Patient Recruiter Sentenced to 108 months in Prison for $3.6 Million Home Health Care Fraud Scheme

Nov 3, 2018

WASHINGTON – A Houston, Texas-area patient recruiter was sentenced to 108 months in prison today for her role in a $3.6 million Medicare fraud scheme involving fraudulent claims for home health services. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick of the Southern District of Texas,…

Dallas Physicians and Nurses Sentenced to Prison for Role in $11 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

Oct 27, 2018

Two Dallas doctors and three nurses were sentenced yesterday in an $11.3 million Medicare fraud scheme involving false and fraudulent claims for home health services. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge C.J. Porter of…

Anthem Pays OCR $16 Million in Record HIPAA Settlement Following Largest U.S. Health Data Breach in History

Oct 24, 2018

Anthem, Inc. has agreed to pay $16 million to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and take substantial corrective action to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules after a series of cyberattacks led to the largest U.S. health…

Former health care chief executive sentenced to 9.5 years in federal prison

Jul 2, 2018

James Burkhart’s conspiracy reaped nearly $19.4 million in fraud and kickbacks, funding private jets, vacation homes, diamond jewelry, and gold bars PRESS RELEASE INDIANAPOLIS B United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler today announced the sentencing of the former CEO of American Senior Communities (ASC) in a massive fraud, kickback, and money laundering conspiracy. James Burkhart,…

Five HIPAA Compliance Tips for Small-Medium Sized Businesses

Jun 24, 2018

Maintaining round-the-clock HIPAA compliance is a constant challenge for healthcare providers and other HIPAA covered entities. For small and medium-sized organizations, the challenge of HIPAA compliance can be particularly difficult due to a lack of skilled personnel, resources, and budget. To make matters worse, just over a year ago, the OCR announced an initiative to…