Former Panoramic Health Assistant GC Alleges Retaliation Over Anti-Kickback Statute Concerns

Leah Turlington, a former assistant general counsel at Panoramic Health, has filed a lawsuit against her former employer, alleging wrongful termination following her reporting of safe harbor violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, claims that Turlington, who worked at Panoramic from November 2023 to April, was recruited by a former colleague who served as the company's chief legal, compliance, and privacy officer.

According to the lawsuit, Turlington received positive performance reviews and was promised a promotion, a significant raise, and stock options by her former colleague, who became her direct supervisor upon joining Panoramic. In her role overseeing mergers and acquisitions, Turlington allegedly discovered issues with Panoramic's comprehensive kidney care contracting (CKCC) program, funded by federal Medicare and Medicaid and subject to obligations set by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) regarding compliance with the Anti-Kickback Statute's safe harbor provisions.

The lawsuit contends that Turlington raised her concerns with her supervisor in February, who acknowledged her apprehensions. In March, Turlington reiterated her concerns during a call with her supervisor, the chief medical officer, and other company members, where her supervisor allegedly dismissed the risks and proposed inadequate solutions. Subsequently, after seeking advice from external legal counsel and regulatory program managers, Turlington claims her supervisor suggested she "might not be a good fit" for Panoramic.

Following this, the supervisor reportedly reached out to the CMS, which supported Turlington's analysis. Despite this, Turlington was terminated abruptly in April, with her supervisor attributing the decision to "the CMS thing," which the lawsuit asserts was protected activity.

The lawsuit seeks damages and other appropriate relief. Panoramic Health has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.

By fLEXI tEAM