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Legal & Regulatory News
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Justice Department Dropping Antitrust Case Against UnitedHealth’s SCA Health
In January 2021, a federal grand jury charged SCA and its related entities, which own and operate outpatient medical care centers, with entering and engaging in conspiracies with other healthcare companies to suppress competition between them for the services of senior-level employees. SCA is part of UnitedHealth Group's Optum division.
UCLA Health Sues Barbie-Maker Over $49M Donation Pledge
According to the lawsuit, in 2017, the Mattel toy company pledged to donate $49 million to the health system over 12 years. UCLA agreed to work Mattel's logo and corporate branding into its marketing. However, the lawsuit alleges that Mattel last made a payment of $1 million in 2018.
Bon Secours’ Virginia ER Proposal Approved; HCA’s Rejected
The $25 million Bon Secours facility is expected to open by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, HCA is also struggling to get freestanding emergency centers approved in North Carolina.
Prior Authorization and Other Regulatory Burdens Have Increased Since Last Year, Practices Tell MGMA
Nine in 10 polled medical practices say their regulatory burden has increased over the past year with prior authorization, audits and appeals, with the Medicare Quality Payment Program and requirements around surprise billing and good faith estimates headlining physicians’ complaints.
IRS Examining HCA Tax Returns
Affiliates of the system, which reported third-quarter operating income of $1.63 billion on revenues of $16.21 billion, are also under examination for 2019, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
NY AG Fines US Radiology $450K After Unpatched Bug Led to Ransomware Attack
In an agreement announced Wednesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James said US Radiology failed to remediate a vulnerability announced by security company SonicWall in January 2021.
Flagstaff, AZ Voters Reject New $800M Hospital Plan
The most controversial issue on Tuesday’s ballot in Arizona was whether a new hospital in Flagstaff should be approved.
AHA Says 3.1% Medicare Hospital Outpatient Payment Increase ‘Inadequate’
The AHA is urging Congress for additional support by the end of the year.
Minnesota Bans Hospitals From Collecting Debts Before Screening for Charity Care
The law states that hospitals must determine whether a patient can receive charity care after completion of the screening process. Additionally, hospitals cannot offer loans or repayment plans to patients until they put them through the charity care screening process.
TN AG Urges Look at Ballad Health Amid Community Concerns Over Monopoly Deal
The AG's office, along with the Department of Health, oversees an agreement called the Certificate of Public Advantage, which allows Ballad to operate hospitals in northeastern Tennessee without the fear of competition in exchange for the company meeting various charitable obligations and quality of health care requirements.