Current:Home > BackWalgreens to pay $106M to settle allegations it submitted false payment claims for prescriptions-LoTradeCoin
Walgreens to pay $106M to settle allegations it submitted false payment claims for prescriptions
View Date:2024-12-24 07:15:23
WASHINGTON (AP) — Walgreens has agreed to pay $106 million to settle lawsuits that alleged the pharmacy chain submitted false payment claims with government health care programs for prescriptions that were never dispensed.
The settlement announced on Friday resolves lawsuits filed in New Mexico, Texas and Florida on behalf of three people who had worked in Walgreens’ pharmacy operation. The lawsuits were filed under a whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act that lets private parties file case on behalf of the United States government and share in the recovery of money, the U.S. Justice Department said. The pharmacy chain was accused of submitting false payment claims to Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs between 2009 and 2020 for prescriptions that were processed but never picked up.
Settlement documents say Walgreens cooperated in the investigation and has improved its electronic management system to prevent such problems from occurring again.
In a statement, Walgreens said that because of a software error, the chain inadvertently billed some government programs for a relatively small number of prescriptions that patients submitted but never picked up.
“We corrected the error, reported the issue to the government and voluntarily refunded all overpayments,” the statement by Walgreens said.
In reaching the settlement, the chain didn’t acknowledge legal liability in the cases. ____ This story has been corrected to say the lawsuits were filed by private parties, not by the U.S. Justice Department.
veryGood! (251)
Related
- Timothée Chalamet Details How He Transformed Into Bob Dylan for Movie
- An 11-Minute Flight To Space Was Just Auctioned For $28 Million
- Would Succession's Nicholas Braun Star in a Cousin Greg Spinoff? He Says…
- Jamie Lee Curtis' Hot Take on Matinee Concerts Is Hilariously Relatable
- Congress heard more testimony about UFOs: Here are the biggest revelations
- Jason Sudeikis Teases Ted Lasso's Future Beyond Season 3
- Why Wednesday's Jenna Ortega Says She Isn't Interested in Dating Right Now
- Israeli forces storm Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque, arresting hundreds of Palestinian worshipers
- As US Catholic bishops meet, Trump looms over their work on abortion and immigration
- Italian mayor tweets invitation to Florida principal who resigned after parents complained Michelangelo's David was taught in school
Ranking
- Will Trump curb transgender rights? After election, community prepares for worst
- How Jimmy Kimmel Is Preparing for Another Potential Oscars Slap
- China-Taiwan tension is soaring and the U.S. is directly involved. Here's what to know.
- Scale, Details Of Massive Kaseya Ransomware Attack Emerge
- Democrat Janelle Bynum flips Oregon’s 5th District, will be state’s first Black member of Congress
- How Cameron Diaz Supported BFF Drew Barrymore Through Difficult Alcohol Struggle
- Oil prices soar after OPEC+ announces production cuts
- Why Beauties Everywhere Love Lady Gaga's Haus Labs Makeup
Recommendation
-
Britney Spears reunites with son Jayden, 18, after kids moved in with dad Kevin Federline
-
World Meteorological Organization retiring Fiona and Ian as hurricane names after deadly storms
-
How Victoria Beckham, Selena Gomez and More Are Celebrating International Women's Day
-
Taliban bars Afghan women from working for U.N. in latest blow to women's rights and vital humanitarian work
-
Bankruptcy judge questioned Shilo Sanders' no-show at previous trial
-
See Andy Cohen Lose It on the Ladies in The Real Housewives of Miami Reunion Trailer
-
Canadian police say 6 people found dead in marsh near U.S. border in Quebec
-
Get 2 Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gels for the Price of 1