Serious FDA recall | DOJ investigates UnitedHealth | CVS fined $949M | AMA combats scope of practice creep

The faulty adapters must not be used. The devices, manufactured under the brand name AirLife, must be identified and quarantined because of the high risk of severe injury or death associated with the malfunction.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the OIG and FBI are also involved in the DOJ's criminal probe into alleged incidents of upcoding by the Medicare Advantage insurer. UnitedHealth denied any wrongdoing. 

The pharmacy chain said it plans to appeal the ruling. The complaint was brought by a former employee turned whistleblower who alleged that Omnicare had billed the government for millions of unnecessary prescriptions.

The American Medical Association had 180 scope of practice victories around the country, opposing incidents of groups practicing medicine without the proper background and training. However, its efforts to clamp down are being challenged. 

Veterans Affairs said plans to reduce its workforce by 85,000 have been called off. It has instead undertaken other efforts to improve efficiency. As for the 30,000 jobs it expects to lose by the end of 2025, those will come from early retirements.

Jawad Bhatti, MD, is facing a 26-count indictment from the U.S. Department of Justice after he allegedly advertised the use of ozone gas as a treatment for pain, then billed Medicare and Medicaid for the unapproved procedures. 

“We are in a crisis with healthcare research, administrative burdens, and with payment. Access for our patients is hurt," said American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees member Scott Ferguson, MD, FACR.

Health IT company Episource confirmed a ransomware attack of its network exposed data from payer and provider customers alike, with details such as medical diagnoses and treatments possibly stolen by nefarious actors. 

However, partisan divides dwindled when respondents were asked about how federal cuts to healthcare spending would strain their local communities, particularly in rural and low-income areas.

The AI revolution in healthcare is less about technological advancement than change management vis-à-vis human relations. This may be nowhere more true than in critical care. 

Leaders with the Raleigh, North Carolina-based radiology group said the change comes as the practice continues pursuing expansion through "de novo" imaging centers.