Vital Signs newsletter: Bangor nursing home to pay $1.2M in Medicare settlement

Before we dive into the week’s health news, I’m soliciting feedback on the Vital Signs newsletter. What do you like about it? What should change? Is the headline roundup helpful to stay on top of the week’s health news, or a little stale by the time it lands in your inbox? Feel free to shoot me your thoughts at jfarwell@bangordailynews.com.

The Medicare program loses billions of dollars each year to fraud. The government has stepped up enforcement and prosecution on a number of fronts, detailing those efforts at StopMedicareFraud.gov. But rooting out fraud without restricting medical care for the 50 million Americans who depend on the health insurance program is no small feat.

This national issue reared its head in Bangor this week, with a nursing home agreeing to pay $1.2 million to settle allegations of inflated billing by a vendor. While Ross Manor admitted to no wrongdoing, its parent health system pledged to exercise more oversight of subcontractors.

Bangor nursing home to pay $1.2 million in Medicare settlement

Other top health stories:

Anthem data breach affects 531,000 Mainers

CBS 13 puts a number on the local impact of the massive cyber attack.

Black bear may hold secret to cure for kidney disease

Bears, somehow, are able to regain full kidney function after coming out of hibernation.

From our bloggers

Jim LaPierre, Recovery Rocks

Reasons to Keep Living

I am grateful to my mother for teaching me a very simple lesson, “People need something to do.”

Len Kaye, Age Smart

Growing Older and the Meaning of Work

Work is meaningful for a number of reasons above and beyond covering the monthly bills.

From the source

How likely are Mainers to use mood-altering drugs? Find out in Gallup’s new state-by-state rankings.

Compiled by BDN Health Editor Jackie Farwell

Jackie Farwell

About Jackie Farwell

I'm the health editor for the Bangor Daily News, a Bangor native, a UMaine grad, and a weekend crossword warrior. I never get sick of writing about Maine people, geeking out over health care data, and finding new ways to help you stay well. I live in Gorham with my husband Nick and our hound dog Riley.