Posted by Alessia Goncalves
Several leading US teaching hospitals are under scrutiny due to allegations made by doctors about a risky practice: surgeons scheduling multiple operations simultaneously and then billing Medicare for work they didn’t do. These claims have emerged from various federal and state lawsuits, shedding light on concurrent surgeries, bribery, kickbacks, and improper compensation. Hospitals such as the University of Southern California’s hospital system and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have been accused of leaving patients unattended during critical parts of surgeries, leading to concerns about patient safety and ethical standards.
Concurrent surgeries involve surgeons delegating tasks to residents without adequate supervision, breaching Medicare rules that require the lead surgeon to be present during crucial stages of an operation. Allegations suggest that surgeons often leave the operating room to perform other procedures, sometimes in different facilities. Hospitals are accused of manipulating billing records and engaging in fraudulent practices to maximize profits, putting patients at risk in the process. “At a teaching hospital, you have to make sure they are ready to do surgery on their own at the end of five years,” said Dr. Seth Leopold, professor of orthopedics and sports medicine at the University of Washington. “There has to be a progression, to let somebody have the stick at a certain point, but you have to be in the room observing and training them, both for their sake and the patient’s. I watched them like a hawk” (Holland, 5).
The issue gained prominence with lawsuits against Massachusetts General Hospital, where orthopedic surgeons voiced concerns about overlapping surgeries leading to unnecessary procedures and patient risks. Healthcare professionals at various hospitals, including Erlanger Health System and USC Keck Hospital, have faced repercussions for raising these concerns, resulting in legal battles and wrongful termination lawsuits. These cases, filed under the False Claims Act, highlight the need for transparency, accountability, and adherence to medical ethics in healthcare institutions. Upholding ethical standards is essential to ensuring patient safety and maintaining the integrity of the medical profession.
Article Link: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/doctors-ghost-patients-charge-for-surgeries-left-to-residents
Alessia is a finance major at the Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University, Class of 2026.