Connect with us

Kaiser Health News

Supreme Court Upends Purdue Pharma Opioid Settlement

Published

on

Aneri Pattani
Thu, 27 Jun 2024 17:10:00 +0000

In a 5-4 vote, the court ruled that the Sackler family cannot be shielded from future claims through Purdue’s bankruptcy.

Since the case was first heard, victims of the opioid crisis and recovery advocates have been split on the desired outcome. Some wanted the bankruptcy deal to go through so that settlement money could start flowing and fund urgently needed addiction services. Others said it would be unacceptable to allow the Sacklers to evade responsibility for their actions.

If you enjoyed this breakdown, follow the KFF Health News social team on Instagram @KFFHealthNews

✍️: Aneri Pattani/KFF Health News

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

USE OUR CONTENT

This story can be republished for free (details).

——————————
By: Aneri Pattani
Title: Supreme Court Upends Purdue Pharma Opioid Settlement
Sourced From: kffhealthnews.org/news/article/supreme-court-upends-purdue-pharma-opioid-settlement/
Published Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2024 17:10:00 +0000

Kaiser Health News

In Settling Fraud Case, New York Medicare Advantage Insurer, CEO Will Pay up to $100M

Published

on

kffhealthnews.org – Fred Schulte, KFF Health News – 2024-12-20 16:31:00

SUMMARY: Independent Health Association of Buffalo and Betsy Gaffney, CEO of medical analytics firm DxID, have agreed to a settlement of up to $100 million to resolve Justice Department allegations of fraudulent Medicare billing for exaggerated or non-existent health conditions. Independent Health will pay up to $98 million, while Gaffney will contribute $2 million. Neither party admitted wrongdoing. The case was triggered by whistleblower Teresa Ross, highlighting issues of “upcoding” in Medicare Advantage plans. Ross, having faced repercussions for her allegations, will receive at least $8.2 million from the settlement. This case underscores the challenges of regulating billing practices in the Medicare system.

Read the full article

The post In Settling Fraud Case, New York Medicare Advantage Insurer, CEO Will Pay up to $100M appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

Continue Reading

Kaiser Health News

Employers Press Congress To Cement Health Price Transparency Before Trump’s Return

Published

on

kffhealthnews.org – Julie Appleby, KFF Health News – 2024-12-20 04:00:00

SUMMARY: Despite regulations requiring hospitals and insurers to disclose negotiated prices for healthcare services, the impact on consumer costs remains unclear nearly four years later. While the Trump administration’s initial rules and Biden’s enhancements aimed to streamline this data, compliance is inconsistent; a 2022 audit found only 63 out of 100 hospitals met requirements. Some lawmakers proposed legislation to protect these regulations amid uncertainty about Trump’s potential return to office, but efforts fell short. Experts note the complexity of the data often leaves consumers struggling to understand their actual costs, emphasizing the need for improved transparency and enforcement to facilitate informed healthcare choices.

Read the full article

The post Employers Press Congress To Cement Health Price Transparency Before Trump’s Return appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

Continue Reading

Kaiser Health News

He Went in for a Colonoscopy. The Hospital Charged $19,000 for Two.

Published

on

kffhealthnews.org – Harris Meyer – 2024-12-19 04:00:00

SUMMARY: Tom Contos, a 45-year-old runner, sought a colonoscopy due to ongoing rectal bleeding. His insurance covered part of the procedure, but he was shocked by the final bill of $19,206, which included charges for two colonoscopies. Despite an initial estimate of $7,203, the charges were much higher due to multiple procedures and biopsies. Contos appealed the charges, but Northwestern Medicine maintained that the billing was correct. Health experts suggest patients consider alternatives like ambulatory surgery centers for lower costs. Transparency and clear pricing are key to avoiding unexpected medical expenses.

Read the full article

The post He Went in for a Colonoscopy. The Hospital Charged $19,000 for Two. appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

Continue Reading

Trending