Valleywide Legal Blog

State Medical Boards Continue To Fail The Public – Part 1

Reuters recently released the results of a lengthy investigation into practices of the Justice Department which permit accused fraudsters and malpracticing doctors to buy their way out of trouble and continue to practice in return for payment of a civil … Read More

Posted in Arizona Medical Board, disclosure of medical mistakes, Doctors, Fraud, Hospitals, Lawsuits, medical ethics, Medical Malpractice, Medicare, Secrecy |

Social Media And Plastic Surgery – A Dangerous Mix

Today’s story is about a plastic surgeon who courted social media and had a large following.  She called herself Dr. Roxy and even live-streamed some procedures and answered viewer’s questions during the surgeries.  She has been sued at least 11 … Read More

Posted in blood infections, Doctors, Fraud, Infection, Lawsuits, medical charts, medical errors, medical ethics, Medical Malpractice, medical mistakes, never events, Plastic Surgery, Surgical Errors |

Unethical Doctors

For all their education and obvious talents, some doctors just can’t resist their worst impulses.  You should keep this in mind when you look for a doctor or when receiving advice from a doctor where the doctor stands to benefit, … Read More

Posted in Doctors, Fee for Service, Fraud, Health Care Costs, Health Insurers, Medical Costs, Medical Devices, medical ethics, Medical Malpractice, Medicare, PODS, Secrecy |

State Legislatures Are Making Your Health Care Less Safe

As anyone who reads this blog knows, I am not a big fan of state medical boards.  My complaint is that there is a lot of malpractice out there and the medical boards do not do an effective job of … Read More

Posted in Arizona Medical Board, Doctors, Fraud, health, medical errors, medical ethics, medical research, science news |

Greed In Health Care Harms Patients

Last month I wrote about how greed in health care led to selling drugs and fleecing Medicare.  Today’s post is about practices that are even worse and harm far more people.  It relates to the purchase by private equity of … Read More

Posted in Doctors, Fee for Service, Fraud, Health Care Costs, Hospitals, Medical Costs, Medical Devices, medical ethics, Medicare |

Covid and the Bad Doctor

A Utah plastic surgeon has been charged by the United States with health care fraud and conspiracy arising out of a year-long scheme to sell fake Covid vaccination cards.  The cards were sold for $50 each.  It is unclear exactly … Read More

Posted in Fraud, General Health, medical ethics, Vaccines |

Health Care Professionals Are Not Immune to Greed

Willie Sutton, the Depression era bankrobber, when asked why he robbed banks, famously responded, “That’s where the money is.”  Today, the money is in illegal drugs and the Medicare program.  Foreign drug cartels make huge profits smuggling illegal drugs into … Read More

Posted in Doctors, drug companies, Fee for Service, Fraud, Health Care Costs, Health Insurers, medical ethics, Medicare |

“I Made A Mistake Which Injured You.”

This is not a statement a doctor is very likely to make, even though there is an ethical obligation to be honest with patients and to make sure medical records are accurate.  Sadly, the way our system operates, there are … Read More

Posted in Arizona Medical Board, disclosure of medical mistakes, Doctors, Fraud, Hospitals, Lawsuits, medical errors, medical ethics, Medical Malpractice, medical malpractice cases, medical mistakes, Medical Negligence, plaintiff, Secrecy, Surgical Errors, trial |

BOO! It’s Halloween and the Scammers and Fraudsters Are Out.

Of course, the scammers and fraudsters are out every night.  It pays to be careful so you don’t end up as one of their victims.  Scammers are always refining their scams so you may see new tricks.  Here are some … Read More

Posted in Fraud, Medicare |

Some Medicare Advantage Plans Are Taking Us For A Ride

In 2003, Congress made a major change to Medicare.  In the hopes of reducing costs through privatization, it created what are called Medicare Advantage plans.  The idea was that private companies would be paid a fixed amount to provide Medicare … Read More

Posted in Fee for Service, Fraud, General Health, Health Care Costs, Health Insurers, medical charts, Medical Costs, Medicare, Secrecy |