Federal Judge Allows Retaliation Case Against Hospice Provider to Advance in Illinois

The legal case of Makela v. Apex Hospice and Palliative Care sees Dr. Janice Makela, a former hospice medical director, advancing with her retaliation and breach of contract suit against an Illinois-based hospice provider. Dr. Makela contends she was unlawfully terminated after objecting to the provider’s practice of certifying ineligible patients for Medicare hospice care. She alleges her dismissal occurred only 43 days into her employment, without proper notice, following her objections. Apex Hospice’s motion to dismiss the claims was denied by Chief U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Kendall, allowing the case to proceed further in the Northern District of Illinois.