Although the lawsuit was filed by a pharmacist in New Mexico, a federal judge in New York has ordered CVS Omnicare to pay $949,000 to settle a False Claims Act (FCA) case.

According to news sources, the Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM) allegedly prescribed drugs to individuals in long-term residential facilities that were not supported by valid prescriptions and then submitted claims for reimbursement for those prescriptions to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. Although a jury trial was held last spring, with the judge rejecting post-trial arguments by Omnicare, it is understood that Omnicare plans to appeal.

Reporting details of this whistleblower lawsuit during the next edition of Monitor Mondays will be Max Voldman, a partner at Whistleblowers Law, LLP.

The weekly broadcast will also include these instantly recognizable features:

• Monday Rounds: Ronald Hirsch, MD, vice president of R1 RCM, will be making his Monday Rounds.

• The RAC Report: Healthcare attorney Knicole Emanuel, partner at the law firm of Nelson Mullins, will report the latest news about auditors.

• Risky Business: Healthcare attorney David Glaser, shareholder in the law offices of Fredrikson & Byron, will join the broadcast with his trademark segment.

• Legislative Update: Adam Brenman, senior healthcare government affairs analyst for Zelis, will report on the news happening at the intersection of healthcare and congressional action.