Safety Concerns Over Procedures Prompt Insurance Coverage Changes And Court Cases
Following a Food and Drug Administration cancer warning, insurance providers are curtailing or considering limits on coverage of procedures using the laparoscopic power morcellator. Also, a Seattle medical center and the maker of medical scopes allegedly tied to so-called “superbug” outbreaks are being sued. And a former doctor pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a hepatitis C outbreak in Nevada.
The Wall Street Journal:
More Health Insurers Take Action To Curb Morcellator Use
A growing number of U.S. health insurers are moving to restrict use of the laparoscopic power morcellator, further sidelining the once-popular medical device after federal regulators warned it shouldn’t be used on most women. (Kamp, 4/2)
The Seattle Times:
Vancouver Man Sues Virginia Mason, Scope-Maker Over Wife's Death
A Vancouver man whose 53-year-old wife died in 2013 of a severe and unexpected infection is suing Virginia Mason Medical Center and the maker of allegedly defective medical scopes tied to “superbug” outbreaks in Seattle and across the nation. (Aleccia, 4/2)
The Associated Press:
Ex-Doctor Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges In Hepatitis Case
A former prominent Las Vegas doctor already serving 18 years to life in state prison pleaded guilty Thursday to federal health care fraud and conspiracy charges in a hepatitis C outbreak that was called one of the largest ever in the U.S. The plea by Dipak Kantilal Desai, 65, avoided a federal trial for the former member of the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners and one-time owner of busy endoscopy and colonoscopy clinics. (4/2)
