Anesthesiologist Nicholas Bircher, MD, filed a lawsuit against Pittsburgh-based UPMC, University of Pittsburgh Physicians and UPP, alleging he was fired for complaining about unlawful activity, the Penn Record reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. Dr. Bircher was credentialed as a billing provider for Medicare, Pennsylvania Medical Assistance and West Virginia Medicaid, according to the complaint.
2. Dr. Bircher said the defendants allegedly refused to let him review required forms before they were signed, on at least six occasions between 2015 and 2017.
3. Dr. Bircher alleges he was told his employment contract wouldn't be renewed days after he made a complaint in January 2017. He said he had made several complaints.
4. Dr. Bircher is seeking compensatory damages, claiming his termination violates the Pennsylvania Whistleblower Act.
5. University of Pittsburgh Physicians and UPMC claim they didn't renew Bircher's contract because of alleged poor performance. The defendants said other medical providers complained about his work performance.
"UPP was entitled to elect not to renew the contract with or without cause and for any or no reason, and it did so by providing a timely notice of non-renewal in compliance with the agreement," University of Pittsburgh Physicians and UPMC said in an answer to the complaint.