Legal News

Stories about physicians and other healthcare professionals involved in lawsuits—as either a plaintiff or a defendantor accused of breaking the law. Various legal updates or unusual stories in the news may land here.

Medicare Advantage Part C clipboard payment

CMS drops lawsuit against UnitedHealth over Medicare Advantage star rating

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services appealed a court ruling that ordered the agency to change the star rating for UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Part D plans, which had been reduced due to a disputed phone call. CMS has now dropped the appeal.

Thumbnail

Cardiologist sues health system over gender discrimination, unequal pay and hostile treatment

The veteran doctor says she was treated “vastly different from her male counterparts” during her 17 years with Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Thumbnail

Trump administration halts public communications from health agencies

The indefinite hold on external communications includes website updates and social media posts, in addition to scientific reports, from all agencies under HHS. 

Donald J. Trump 2024

Trump signs executive order to withdraw U.S. from the World Health Organization

The President made good on a campaign promise to leave the international health agency, after attempting to do so when he last held office in 2020. 

Vintage neon drug sign at the Walgreens pharmacy on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans.

DOJ sues Walgreens for allegedly filling ‘millions’ of illegal prescriptions

Walgreens filed a countersuit, accusing the federal government of failing to take down prescribers acting unlawfully. 

Medicare Advantage Part C clipboard payment

Another insurer sues CMS over star ratings, citing contractor error

Alignment Health is accusing CMS and a third-party contractor of surveying Spanish-speaking members in English and using an "arbitrary" calculation method to reduce the ratings of Medicare Advantage plans.

Patient mixup, coverup results in lawsuit for wrongful death

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center removed the wrong man from life support and hid the mixup from the family for two years, the plaintiffs claim in a court filing.

statue justice legal verdict malpractice case lawsuit scale

Congressional candidate physician sues hospital and doctor for death of father

Some of the claims in the lawsuit, brought against Novant Health by Kyle Horton, MD, are backed by a report from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. 

Around the web

U.S. cardiology groups have worked together to propose the creation of a new American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine for certifying cardiologists. Now, after many months of waiting, a final decision is expected by the end of February. 

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

American College of Cardiology President Cathie Biga, MSN, says Medicare payment reform remains a top priority going forward. Site-neutral payments and improved access to PAD screening are two other issues close to the ACC's heart.