Civil Complaint Against J & L Medical Services Dismissed

Government authorities recently filed a voluntary dismissal of a civil complaint against J & L Medical Services. The matter involved a disagreement over the interpretation of a Connecticut law about the set-up of CPAP machines for patients with sleep apnea. To resolve the legal issues, J & L Medical Services will refund a portion of the funds paid for certain products they delivered to patients.

“We are pleased that the government did not ask J & L Medical Services to admit any wrongdoing as a part of this resolution,” says the company’s President and co-founder John Loyer. “We met extensively with the Department of Justice, Connecticut Attorney General and the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services throughout this process, and we fully cooperated and, in fact, assisted in their fact finding,” he added. “We think it’s important for our patients and the members of the medical community to understand that the government never claimed J & L Medical Services failed to deliver quality care or equipment. This was a matter of our disagreeing with their interpretation of Connecticut law about who can work with sleep apnea patients to do the initial set-up of their CPAP machines.”

J & L Medical Services followed common practice for most of the U.S. by using patient-care technicians to work with patients when they first use their CPAP machines. These professionals were licensed practical nurses, EMTs, respiratory students or others trained and supervised by licensed respiratory therapists.

“When the government first came to us in 2013 with their interpretation of the licensing law, which was contrary to ours, we explained our disagreement but also our willingness to find a way to resolve that disagreement,” says Loyer. “Ultimately, we have agreed to refund to the government a portion of the funds paid for equipment delivered to our CPAP patients. In addition, J & L Medical Services has changed its practices to correspond with the government’s interpretation of the law. Since 2013, J & L Medical Services has only used licensed respiratory therapists to set-up CPAPs and that will continue to be our practice.”

The voluntary dismissal was filed by the government in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.

About J & L Medical Services

J & L Medical Services is a privately owned and operated home medical equipment, home oxygen and respiratory service provider. Respiratory therapists John Loyer and Lynn Tata founded the company in 2003, growing it from one location to six today to serve Connecticut and Southwestern Massachusetts. The company has headquarters in Middlebury CT and [branches in Wethersfield, Fairfield, Torrington, Waterford, CT and West Springfield, MA. Among the company’s honors are the “Entrepreneur of the Year Award” from the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce and “Best Respiratory Provider” in the nation, from HME News and the American Association for Homecare. J&L Medical Services meets all of the Medicare Supplier Standards. For more information go to: jandlmedical.com.