Court briefs for May 24, 2001

Thursday, May 24, 2001 | 10:35 a.m.

Rebates due with settlement

Nevada residents who purchased replacement contact lenses made by three of the leading manufacturers may be eligible for cash rebates on future purchases, under terms of a settlement with Johnson & Johnson.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said residents who bought products from Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., Bausch & Lomb, or CIBA Vision since Jan. 1, 1988, are eligible for rebates on future purchases and eye exams.

Johnson & Johnson was the last defendant in an antitrust action brought by Nevada, 31 other states and a private consumer class action against contact lens manufacturers and the American Optometric Association.

Under the settlement, Johnson & Johnson agreed to distribute $30 million in rebates to consumers. The consumer benefits package will include: $50 off the purchase of four six packs of disposable lenses; $25 off the cost of an eye exam; and an additional $25 off a future purchase of four or more lens six packs.

Consumers can obtain more information by calling (888) 437-1294, or by visiting the website (www.acuvue.com).

Settlement of $7 million set

Charter Behavioral Health Systems has paid $2.18 million to settle allegations that it defrauded the Nevada Medicaid program.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the attorney general's office and the Las Vegas office of the FBI assisted the U.S. Department of Justice in the investigation, which resulted in a total settlement of $7 million.

The Medicare program, the TRICARE program and the Medicaid program in Indiana and Virginia also received money from the settlement.

The case originated when a former employee filed a whistleblower complaint under the Federal False Claims Act. It was alleged that Charter, formerly the nation's largest privately owned psychiatric chain, billed Medicaid for services that were never rendered.