Becker's reported on two orthopedic practices paying to resolve lawsuits and billing claims in the last 7 days.
1. Paducah-based Southern Orthopedic Associates, otherwise known as the Orthopaedic Institute of Western Kentucky, has agreed to pay $660,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that it failed to protect patient information from a 2021 cyberattack. While the orthopedic practice is not admitting fault for the attack, it has created a settlement fund to help relieve patients whose information was stolen.
2. Memphis, Tenn.-based Tri-State Orthopaedics agreed to pay more than $540,000 to resolve allegations it improperly billed TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, the state's attorney general's office said Jan. 24. The alleged billing fraud happened from Feb. 6, 2019, through Nov. 17, 2021. The practice allegedly received higher reimbursement rates from TennCare than entitled.