The Daily Scan

Last Updated: 9:15 AM EST

Litigation

• An internist in Riverdale, Maryland, has agreed to pay the United States $1,526,038 to settle allegations that he submitted false claims to the United States for medically unnecessary autonomic nervous function tests and neurobehavioral status exams. (Justice.gov)

Legislation

• Late last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S. 2372, the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (VA MISSION) Act, on a 347-70 vote. (Veterans.House.gov)

• Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed a law on Wednesday that will allow the import of prescription drugs from Canada into the U.S. state in a move that would help tackle rising drug prices. (Reuters.com)

Regulation

• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Monday finalized amendments to its medical regulations by standardizing the delivery of care by VA health care providers through telehealth. The rule, effective June 11, 2018, ensures that VA health care providers can offer the same level of care to all beneficiaries, irrespective of the State or location in a State of the VA health care provider or the beneficiary. (FederalRegister.gov)

• The HHS OIG revealed yesterday that the Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation did not claim $1.5 million of allowable Medicare pension costs on its incurred cost proposals for calendar years 2008 through 2013 and understated Medicare’s share of the surplus of Medicare segment pension assets by $17.7 million.

• Yesterday, the FDA approved Lucemyra (lofexidine hydrochloride), the first non-opioid treatment for management of opioid withdrawal symptoms in adults. Lucemyra is an oral, selective alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist that reduces the release of norepinephrine. (FDA.gov)