Abbott Labs Denied Summary Judgment in Action Accusing it of Defrauding Medicare, Medicaid

DALLAS — A Texas federal judge has denied Abbott Labs’ motion for summary judgment in a False Claims Act action accusing it of submitting false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for the use of its biliary stents in patients needing vascular stents.

On Jan. 7, Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas found issues of fact exist as to whether the claims were actually false, whether Abbott reasonably believed that Medicare properly reimbursed vascular stenting procedures using biliary stents, and whether Abbott’s conduct was a substantial factor in causing the …