Sunny Hostin, co-host of the popular daytime talk show "The View," is facing a personal crisis as her husband, Dr. Emmanuel "Manny" Hostin, has been accused of insurance fraud. The orthopedic surgeon and his practice, Hostin Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, are among the over 180 defendants named in a sweeping federal lawsuit filed in New York.
The lawsuit, which was filed on December 17, alleges that Dr. Hostin and the other defendants engaged in a massive insurance fraud scheme. According to the lawsuit, Dr. Hostin and his co-defendants received "kickbacks" for performing surgeries and fraudulently billing the insurance company that provides coverage for Uber, Lyft, and other taxi companies.
The lawsuit claims that Dr. Hostin "knowingly provided fraudulent medical and other healthcare services, including arthroscopic surgeries." The American Transit Insurance Company, which filed the lawsuit, alleges that it was billed for these services "in exchange for kickbacks and/or other compensation which were disguised as dividends or other cash distributions."
The lawsuit also alleges that Dr. Hostin was given an "investment" interest in the Empire State Ambulatory Surgery Center in exchange for a "steady stream" of patient referrals. Two of Dr. Hostin's patients, who were treated in January 2023, are cited in the lawsuit as examples of the alleged fraud. Despite being involved in "low-impact" collisions that caused only minimal damage, both patients received arthroscopic surgery.
Dr. Hostin's attorney, Daniel Thwaites, has denied all the allegations, calling the lawsuit "blanket, scattershot, and meritless." Thwaites told The Daily Mail that the lawsuit is an attempt by the insurance company to intimidate and harass doctors from collecting payment for their services.
The lawsuit is seeking $450 million in damages. American Transit Insurance Company has accused the defendants of seeking to take advantage of New York's no-fault auto insurance laws, which require insurance companies to reimburse policyholders for necessary medical care up to $50,000.
Sunny Hostin has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. However, she did discuss her husband's work on "The View" last month, praising his dedication to his patients and criticizing the health insurance industry.
The couple has been married since 1998 and has two children. Dr. Hostin's practice, Hostin Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, has not commented on the lawsuit.
The allegations against Dr. Hostin are serious and have sparked widespread media attention. As the lawsuit moves forward, it remains to be seen how it will affect Sunny Hostin's career and personal life.
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