Time is On Their Side
The federal suit, which alleges that Almance County`s largest employer defrauded Medicaid out of millions of dollars, is not a part of the investigation being conducted by the Senate on the same allegations. This suit also accuses LabCorp of practicing ``pull through`` schemes with a large insurance company that pressured doctors into referring all of their patients testing to LabCorp in exchange for discounted lab rates. Federal anti-kickback laws clearly state that it is illegal for health care companies to directly or indirectly compensate other parties to encourage them to order any service or item that may be paid for by federal health care programs. Businesses that violate this law are prohibited from participating in Medicare or Medicaid.
The initial complaint deadline of November 17th was not met by LabCorp, who then appealed to the courts for an extension until December 1st. A federal judge did stipulate for LabCorp and NPT Associates ``to resolve any disqualification issues before LabCorp responds`` to the complaint. However--that date has now come and gone—and now LabCorp must answer the complaint by February 22nd as per the ruling made by U.S. District Court Judge George Daniels. Judge Daniels has ruled that the deadline can be pushed back if a judge has not ruled by that date on LabCorp`s motion to disqualify counsel. The order also states ``LabCorp shall make any motion to disqualify counsel on or before December 30, 2011``whereas NPT can file an opposition to the motion by January 17, 2012.
