Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced its desire to improve Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) right of access failures, including untimely responses to access requests and overcharging for copies of medical records. Right of access allows patients to request copies of their medical records. Covered Entities are required to oblige within certain time parameters, but are permitted to...

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted 24 telemedicine and medical equipment company executives and physicians for their involvement in an alleged $1.2 billion global healthcare fraud scheme after an investigation by the FBI, OIG, and IRS. Lester Stockett, owner of Video Doctor USA and CEO of AffordADoc, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States, paying and receiving kickbacks, and money laundering. Joseph DeCorso, a...

A New York anesthesiologist was indicted on July 9 for her participation in an alleged telemedicine conspiracy to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicare Part D, and private insurance plans. The physician was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. According to the indictment, the physician, along with other providers, participated in a fraudulent scheme to order and prescribe Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and prescription drugs through...

Twenty-four individuals have been charged in a health care fraud scheme that resulted in a $1.2 billion loss to federal health care programs. The charges target those involved in a conspiracy affecting Medicare beneficiaries. Call centers were used to generate beneficiary leads, each of whom was promised free or low-cost durable medical equipment. The call centers then submitted kickbacks to telemedicine companies to facilitate the issuance of a DME order...

Telemedicine can be a means of providing high quality care in a way that increases access for patients and reach for providers while lowering cost for all parties involved. Although this seems like a winning proposition, telehealth is still in its infancy. Both regulators and payors acknowledge the potential cost savings and enhanced patient outcomes that may result from the expansion of telehealth; but they also acknowledge—and are attempting to...