MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH) agreed on a $50 million settlement on a whistleblower lawsuit accusing the company of overcharging Medicaid and giving kickbacks in exchange for referrals for its lab tests.
The complaint accused LabCorp of charging California’s Medicaid program prices as much as five times higher than it charged other customers and offered discounted or free tests to health care providers in exchange for referrals.
"Medical providers and professionals who attempt to abuse Medi-Cal are draining healthcare resources from the millions of California families and children who rely on the program," California Attorney General Kamala Harris said.
Similar cases are pending against three other labs, Law360.com reported (paid).
Panel recommends pathway for people harmed by medical research to win compensation
An expert panel formed after last year’s revelation that the federal government supported unethical research in Guatemala advised that the U.S. develop a system to compensate people harmed during medical research, Healthwatch reported.
Mayo Clinic recruits study participants via social media
The Mayo Clinic is turning to online social networks to find study participants with rare conditions, according to a press release.
No need to panic over insulin pumps and airplane travel
Researchers warned that a recent study finding that atmospheric pressure changes during airplane travel can effect insulin delivery from drug pumps is a preliminary finding and that more study is needed before patients or doctors take action, according to a press release.
More love for Steve Jobs
Health care providers laud the role that newly retired Apple CEO Steve Jobs has played in shaping the health care world in an article by Information Week.