On March 9, 2021, the Second Circuit heard oral arguments in connection with the New York Department of Financial Services’ (“DFS”) challenge to block the Office of Comptroller of the Currency’s (“OCC”) special purpose national bank charter (“fintech charter”). The lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of New York in September of 2018, shortly
Free FQHC COVID-19 Testing Approved by OIG
As previously discussed, on April 3, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a process for inquiries to be submitted to OIG about whether administrative enforcement discretion would be provided for certain arrangements directly connected to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). OIG established this process to
Fifth Circuit Vacates Fraud Conviction after Denying Codefendants’ Appeal
The U.S. Fifth Circuit recently reversed a former home health agency employee’s conviction and vacated his sentence related to three counts of healthcare fraud and abuse. Jonathan Nora was convicted by the trial court of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, aiding and abetting healthcare fraud, and several violations of the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS)
American Rescue Plan Funds OIG’s Provider Relief Fund Oversight
On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The American Rescue Plan’s $1.9 trillion in spending, contains numerous provisions impacting healthcare, including medical insurance, services delivery and providers.
The American Rescue Plan also provides $5 million to the HHS Office of Inspector General
FCA Insider Blog Interview with Michael Podberesky: Part II
As mentioned in our previous article, last month we were pleased to welcome former DOJ prosecutor Michael Podberesky to McGuireWoods. The below is the continuation of our Q&A with Michael:
Brett:
What is some advice that you would provide to a client that is responding to a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) or subpoena?
U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Clarify False Claims Act Falsity Standard
The U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to address a circuit split regarding the standard for establishing that a statement material to a claim for payment is false under the False Claims Act (FCA); specifically, whether the FCA requires pleading and proof of an “objectively false statement,” or whether liability can be based on allegedly false
FCA Insider Blog Interview with Michael Podberesky
Last month we were pleased to welcome former DOJ prosecutor Michael Podberesky to McGuireWoods. Michael comes to McGuireWoods after a five and a half year stint as a fraud prosecutor focused mainly on healthcare enforcement under the guise of the False Claims Act. Below is a short Q&A with Michael discussing his background and
SEC 2021 National Exam Program Examination Priorities
On March 3, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Examinations (EXAMS) (formerly the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) released its 2021 examination priorities.
Notably, while the majority of the examination priorities echo OCIE priorities from prior years, this year’s EXAMS priorities include a greater focus on climate-related risk and environmental,
DEA Investigation Leads to Record-Setting Settlement for Drug Diversion at a Health Care System
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced the nation’s largest settlement involving allegations of drug diversion at a health care system. The settlement, totaling $7,750,000, came after a years-long investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) into McLaren Health Care Corporation (MHCC). The DEA concluded that MHCC’s handling of controlled substances violated
Budget Launches Taskforce to Uncover Exploitation of the UK Government’s COVID-19 Financial Rescue Schemes
In today’s budget, UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £100 million Taskforce to scrutinise claims made under business support schemes designed to help companies and workers navigate their way through the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Taxpayer Protection Taskforce will be examining claims made honestly but in error as well as those made