Staying Informed on Healthcare Industry Lawsuits

It’s helpful to stay informed on healthcare industry lawsuits because they indicate potential pitfalls in executive management decisions. Becker’s Hospital Review regularly publishes articles on legal actions occurring in the healthcare industry, and last week they provided a roundup of recent court activities, including the following:

In Pennsylvania, a group of hospitals has initiated a lawsuit against insurer Highmark and its subsidiary Keystone Health Plan West over reduced reimbursements for Medicare Advantage patients.

In Massachusetts, nurses have sued Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston for a policy that would require nurses to receive flu shots to keep their jobs.

In Alabama, a federal judge refused to dismiss a class-action lawsuit against Flowers Hospital over an employee who stole patient data.

In New Jersey, the State Supreme Court ruled that hospitals aren’t required to release documentation gathered during an internal examination of malpractice cases.

In California, the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog has sued Cigna and Blue Shield of California over narrow networks; the lawsuits allege that hospital and physician networks offered by the insurers are insufficient, and that consumers were provided inaccurate information about in-network providers.

Also in California, 33 Anthem Blue Cross members filed a lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross of California, saying the company misrepresented the size of its networks and the benefits provided in plans offered under the Affordable Care Act.

You can learn more about these lawsuits and others at Becker’s Hospital Review: http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/legal-regulatory-issues/10-latest-healthcare-industry-lawsuits-settlements-oct-3.html