Skip to content

Menu

LexBlog, Inc. logo
NetworkSub-MenuBrowse by SubjectBrowse by PublisherJoin the NetworkGet StartedSubscribeSupportContact
Search
Close

Lessons for Providers and Practice Entities: Ophthalmology Groups Pay Millions to Settle Co-Management, Optometrist Relationship Allegations

By Timothy Fry, Holly Buckley, Gretchen Heinze Townshend, Jim Schanaberger & Brett Barnett on November 6, 2023
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn

Two ophthalmology practice groups recently reached settlements with the U.S. government totaling nearly $20 million to resolve allegations that their third-party cataract arrangements violated several healthcare laws.

Read on to discover how the settlements offer guidance to vision providers with respect to the government’s focus on ophthalmology-optometry relationships, and whether the settlements’ lessons have broader applicability to providers and practice entities.

Photo of Timothy Fry Timothy Fry

Tim resolves clients’ thorny compliance and regulatory issues that make or break healthcare transactions and operations. He delivers practical, business-oriented solutions that clear obstacles, close deals, and protect enterprise value.

Read more about Timothy FryEmail
Photo of Holly Buckley Holly Buckley

A national leader in healthcare M&A, private equity and finance transactions, Holly chairs McGuireWoods’ Healthcare Department, one of the largest healthcare practices in the United States. PE funds and healthcare clients — including hospitals, health systems, medical practices, physician-owned hospitals and ambulatory surgery…

A national leader in healthcare M&A, private equity and finance transactions, Holly chairs McGuireWoods’ Healthcare Department, one of the largest healthcare practices in the United States. PE funds and healthcare clients — including hospitals, health systems, medical practices, physician-owned hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, among others — rely on her for structuring transactions, regulatory due diligence, affiliation agreements and compliance matters.

Read more about Holly BuckleyEmailHolly's Linkedin Profile
Show more Show less
Photo of Gretchen Heinze Townshend Gretchen Heinze Townshend

Gretchen’s practice focuses on corporate healthcare transactional work and regulatory matters. Her experience includes representation of various types of healthcare providers including hospitals, health systems, dialysis facilities, multi and single specialty medical practices, specialty hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and a variety of healthcare…

Gretchen’s practice focuses on corporate healthcare transactional work and regulatory matters. Her experience includes representation of various types of healthcare providers including hospitals, health systems, dialysis facilities, multi and single specialty medical practices, specialty hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and a variety of healthcare industry entrepreneurs, in sales and acquisitions, joint ventures, general corporate matters, contracting, securities, and regulatory matters.

Read more about Gretchen Heinze TownshendEmail
Show more Show less
Photo of Jim Schanaberger Jim Schanaberger

Jim practices within the firm’s Healthcare department and focuses his practice on healthcare transactional and regulatory matters. Jim advises his clients on a range of compliance and regulatory issues, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, fraud and abuse laws, state corporate practice of…

Jim practices within the firm’s Healthcare department and focuses his practice on healthcare transactional and regulatory matters. Jim advises his clients on a range of compliance and regulatory issues, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, fraud and abuse laws, state corporate practice of medicine doctrines, and state licensure laws.

Read more about Jim SchanabergerEmail
Show more Show less
Photo of Brett Barnett Brett Barnett

Brett is the co-leader of McGuireWoods’ False Claims Act Investigations & Litigation Practice Group. He focuses his practice on representing clients in high-stakes False Claims Act matters, healthcare fraud and abuse investigations, and complex commercial litigation across the country. Brett routinely leads internal…

Brett is the co-leader of McGuireWoods’ False Claims Act Investigations & Litigation Practice Group. He focuses his practice on representing clients in high-stakes False Claims Act matters, healthcare fraud and abuse investigations, and complex commercial litigation across the country. Brett routinely leads internal and government-facing investigations involving the U.S. Department of Justice and other federal and state agencies, and defends clients in civil FCA litigation, often involving parallel proceedings and regulatory scrutiny.

Read more about Brett BarnettEmail
Show more Show less
  • Posted in:
    Health Care and Life Sciences
  • Blog:
    The FCA Insider
  • Organization:
    McGuireWoods LLP
  • Article: View Original Source

Call us at 1-800-913-0988 or email sales@lexblog.com.

Facebook LinkedIn Twitter RSS
The Library at LexBlog
  • About LexBlog
  • The Field We Built
  • Library at LexBlog
  • Our Beliefs
  • Our Team
  • Contact LexBlog
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Get Started
  • Publishing Solutions
  • Compass
  • Submit a Request
  • Support Center
  • System Status
Copyright © 2026, LexBlog, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Law blog design & platform by LexBlog LexBlog Logo