Feds Collect $1.9B from Fraud Settlements, FTC, HHS Vigilant Post-Roe
Federal lawsuits yielded $1.9 billion in legal settlements for healthcare fraud throughout 2021, and the FTC and HHS have announced a ramping-up of enforcement to protect reproductive health post-Roe.
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By - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are stepping up support for access to reproductive healthcare in accordance with executive action from the Biden Administration. Steps taken by the agencies will enforce rules against health data sharing by data brokers and discrimination by retail pharmacies in prescribing reproductive medications.
Meanwhile, a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ) detailed how the federal government recorded $1.9 billion in healthcare fraud last year.
State University Pays $875K Data Breach Settlement
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSU-CHS) will pay $875,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) after settling a data breach lawsuit. OSU-CHS filed a breach report in 2018 after a group illegally accessed a server containing protected health information. Initially, OSU-CHS claimed the breach occurred in 2017, but it later revealed the breach occurred one year earlier than originally stated. The protected information of nearly 280,000 individuals was affected by the incident. READ MORE.
FTC to Enforce Against Illegal Location and Data Sharing
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will begin enforcing action against the illegal sharing of consumer location and data, according to a blog post from the acting associate director, Kristen Cohen. The decision comes in response to the reversal of Roe v. Wade by the US Supreme Court.
“The conversation about technology tends to focus on benefits. But there is a behind-the-scenes irony that needs to be examined in the open: the extent to which highly personal information people choose not to disclose even to family, friends, or colleagues is shared with strangers,” the blog post explained. READ MORE.
NY Launches Virtual Coronavirus Service
New York State’s Department of Health is launching a virtual care service as coronavirus cases begin to rise throughout the nation. The program will connect those with urgent health issues to emergency medicine providers via mobile health services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently shared data showing hospitalizations and deaths have increased as the BA.5 variant takes hold across the country. The New York virtual services are available to residents who have tested positive for coronavirus. READ MORE.
HHS Outlines Guidance for Pharmacy Reproductive Care
In response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, HHS announced the processes and guidelines for ensuring access to reproductive care at retail pharmacies. The guidance specifies already established policies concerning discrimination and access to care.
“We are committed to ensuring that everyone can access healthcare, free of discrimination,” concluded Secretary Becerra in the press release. “This includes access to prescription medications for reproductive health and other types of care.” READ MORE.
Feds Receive $1.9B in Fraud Settlements
The federal government recorded $1.9 billion from fraud settlements and judgments in the fiscal year 2021, including $551 million that went directly to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The DOJ filed 831 criminal cases throughout the year, and 312 resulted in convictions. In addition, 1,700 individuals and entities were excluded from participating in CMS due to fraudulent activity or criminal conviction. READ MORE.
