DOJ Reportedly Considering Lawsuit To Block Optum-Amedisys Deal

UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE:UNH) planned acquisition of Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq:AMED) is catching further scrutiny. Late Wednesday, a report suggesting that the Department of Justice is considering a lawsuit to block Optum’s takeover of Amedisys surfaced. The deal was first agreed to in June of last year. The news comes just a few weeks after the DOJ […]

What The UnitedHealth Group Antitrust Investigation Means For Amedisys, Home Health Industry

Since the news surfaced Tuesday that the Department of Justice had opened an antitrust investigation into UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), additional questions have bubbled up. Namely, those questions surround the home health provider Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED), which agreed to be acquired by UnitedHealth Group’s Optum in June of last year. Will that deal be […]

With Amedisys Deal Pending, Justice Department Opens Antitrust Investigation Into UnitedHealth Group

The Department of Justice is targeting UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in an antitrust investigation, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.  Specifically, the Justice Department is interviewing subjects around interactions between UnitedHealth Group and its health care provider services arm, Optum. UnitedHealthcare is one of the largest insurers in the country. Meanwhile, Optum is one of […]

Lawmakers Elizabeth Warren, Pramila Jayapal Urge DOJ To Further Scrutinize Optum-Amedisys Deal

Lawmakers are hoping to direct further scrutiny toward UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) pending deal of the home health giant Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED). Specifically, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) have asked antitrust regulators to take a closer look. “We urge DOJ and FTC to closely scrutinize UnitedHealth’s proposed acquisition of […]

Home Health Sector Remains Area of Focus For Fraud Watchdogs

The federal government saw a return of nearly $1.9 billion in health care fraud settlements and judgments in 2021. Of this $1.9 billion, the Medicare Trust Funds received $1.2 billion, and the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) received roughly $98.7 million. The Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) annual […]

DOJ Highlights Multiple Home Health-Related Fraud Cases in July

Home health enforcement efforts have been on the rise in 2021, especially over the past couple of months. There have been developments with at least two multi-million-dollar fraud schemes, with the watchdog arm of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also releasing findings from a large hospice-related audit. On July 15, federal […]

Home Health Agency, Former Executives to Pay $5.8M to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

Doctor’s Choice Home Care Inc. and two former executives have agreed to pay $5.15 million to resolve allegations that the home health agency provided “improper financial inducements” to referring physicians through “sham medical director agreements,” the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced earlier this month. DOJ had also alleged that the agency offered bonuses to […]

Texas Physician Found Guilty of $16M Home Health Scheme; Pennsylvania Provider Accused of ‘Sham Staffing’

A Texas-based physician has been found guilty for taking part in a $16 million Medicare scheme. On Oct. 7, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that, after a six-day trial, Dr. Yolanda Hamilton was convicted of a single count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to solicit and receive health care […]

Former Home Health Agency Owners Sentenced to Prison, Ordered to Pay Over $10.7M

Three additional home health agency owners have been sentenced to a combined 117 months in prison for their roles in multi-million dollar fraud schemes. The recent sentencings bring April’s home health-related fraud cases to at least five overall, a total that broadly reflects the increased scrutiny and oversight the industry currently faces. On April 22, […]