Nashville, Tenn. (April 2, 2013) – Bass, Berry & Sims PLC announced today the release of their first Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Review, which provides analysis of last year’s healthcare fraud and abuse activity and the cases to watch in 2013.
The Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Review highlights the issues that are top-of-mind for the healthcare community, particularly the significant enforcement trends and legal developments in healthcare in 2012. The Review also provides analysis of last year’s settlements from across all sectors of the healthcare industry.
The lawyers in Bass Berry’s Compliance and Government Investigations Practice Group expect the coming year will see a continued focus and devotion of resources by the federal government to combatting healthcare fraud and abuse. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), 2012 saw another record-setting recovery by the federal government in its efforts to combat healthcare fraud and abuse across the country.
“Last year saw a further increase in both the number of lawsuits and the amount of money recovered in healthcare fraud and abuse cases,” said Matthew Curley, member in the firm’s Compliance and Government Investigations Practice Group, which is focused on the healthcare industry. “The DOJ has reported remarkable numbers and those numbers will surely increase in the 2013.”
Last year alone, the DOJ announced the recovery of $4.9 billion in settlements and judgments in civil cases involving fraud against the government. This recovery amount has continued to increase over the last five years, showing a trend of amplified litigation and penalties in this area.
The Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Review assists healthcare executives in staying abreast of legal developments and offers insight as to what providers may see in the coming year. This inaugural edition of the Review launches what is planned to be an annual report.
About Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
With more than 200 attorneys representing numerous publicly traded companies and Fortune 500 businesses, Bass, Berry & Sims PLC has been involved in some of the largest and most significant business transactions and litigation matters in the country. Bass Berry’s experienced healthcare lawyers understand both the business and politics of the industry and bring a deep understanding of not only the legal issues but also the operational and management issues an organization faces during a healthcare fraud and abuse case. For more information, visit bassberry.com.