HHS OCR Settles HIPAA Ransomware Security Rule Investigation
On August 18, 2025, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a settlement with a New York-based…
Power of Attorney Abuse Cases Highlight Risks to Elderly Residents and Care Providers
Two recent criminal cases illustrate how financial abuse by individuals acting under power of attorney (POA) can leave elderly residents without funds to pay for…
CMS Releases Final MDS 3.0 Item Sets for October 2025 Implementation
On August 15, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final version of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets,…
Alabama Doctor Charged in $6 Million Telemedicine Fraud Scheme
An Alabama-based doctor has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with a $6 million telemedicine fraud scheme, federal prosecutors in Massachusetts…
CMS Releases FAQs on Skilled Nursing Facility Data Validation Process
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to assist skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in understanding…
OIG: Alabama Did Not Always Verify Nursing Homes’ Background Check Compliance
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) posted a new report on August 14, 2025, which found that…
CMS Announces Temporary Pause in Nursing Home Care Compare Updates
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a temporary pause in updates to the Nursing Home Care Compare website, effective July 30,…
Healthcare System to Pay $1M for Religious Discrimination in Vaccine Policy
A healthcare system operating hospitals and clinics in Illinois and Wisconsin has agreed to pay more than $1 million in monetary relief to a class…
Two Defendants Plead Guilty in Fraud Scheme Involving Stolen Patient Data
According to a press release from the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, two individuals — Defendant 1 and his romantic…
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Settles Fraud Claims for $1.2 Million
A Virginia-licensed clinical social worker convicted of criminal healthcare fraud has agreed to pay an additional $449,014.93 to settle civil fraud claims. The settlement was…