View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2016/08/18/423624.htm
A jury has determined that a hospital in London, Kentucky, and its parent company should pay $21.2 million to a Corbin man who received unnecessary heart procedures.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that the jury ruled August 10 St. Joseph Health System and Catholic Health Initiatives were negligent, violated consumer-protection rules and took part in a conspiracy after performing heart procedures on Kevin Wells.
Wells alleged that the hospital performed the procedures to boost payments from health programs and insurance companies.
Wells’ attorney, Hans Poppe, says a doctor at the hospital recommended Wells get a pacemaker, although other doctors would later say he didn’t need one.
The hospital argued that the treatment Wells received was necessary.
Poppe says the defendants are likely to appeal.