Physicians face class action lawsuit in Missouri

By Brittany Golledge

Published on March 21, 2006

The lawsuit comes just months after a settlement was reached between Heuser and federal officials in connection with an investigation launched into Heuser's Medicare billings. Under the terms of the agreement, Heuser forfeited his medical license and agreed to pay a $1 million fine. Though Heuser admitted no wrongdoing throughout the investigation, it was reported that his medical clinic routinely stored and re-used opened vials of chemotherapy medications, contrary to prescription guidelines.

The class-action lawsuit filed last week in a Boone County court charges 22 doctors linked with Heuser of administering diluted medication and overbilling patients. The suit alleges fraud and conspiracy, and plaintiffs are seeking compensatory as well as punitive damages.

The suit was filed by on behalf of one of Heuser's former patients, Ron Merchant, who died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2003. As a class action lawsuit, any patient treated by Heuser or the other defendants is eligible to take part in the action.

Attorneys representing several of the doctors in the suit have challenged the link between Heuser and many of his former associates, alleging no partnership existed during the period Heuser was allegedly overbilling Medicare and shortchanging patients.

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