Healthcare Compliance and Disputes Leader Richard Merino Joins BRG as Managing Director in DC

Global expert services and consulting firm BRG today announced that Richard J. Merino has joined the firm as a managing director in its Health Analytics Practice (HAP). Based in Washington, D.C., Merino brings more than 25 years of experience in healthcare operations, regulatory compliance, managed care and litigation support, strengthening BRG’s capabilities in serving health plans, providers and related healthcare entities.   

Throughout his career, Merino has advised clients on regulatory audits, fraud and abuse programs, compliance strategies, operational evaluations and dispute resolution. He has testified as an expert witness in federal and state proceedings, covering complex matters including value-based care arrangements, specialty pharmacy, utilization management and provider reimbursement disputes. 

“Richard’s operational knowledge of complex areas of healthcare compliance and his excellent reputation as a testifying expert will be tremendously valuable to our clients,” said Jerry Lewandowski, managing director at BRG. “His experience navigating enforcement actions brought by the Department of Justice [DOJ] and the Office of Inspector General [OIG], leading large-scale corrective action plans, and directing major health system integrations complements BRG’s existing dispute and advisory capabilities in the healthcare space. We are thrilled to welcome him to the firm.” 

Merino previously served as a senior managing director at Ankura, leading operational improvement, compliance and risk management initiatives across a broad spectrum of healthcare organizations. He also held leadership roles at PwC, FTI Consulting and Huron Consulting Group, focusing on Medicare and Medicaid plan sponsors, commercial managed care entities, hospitals, provider practices and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). 

Merino’s experience also spans operational assessments, merger and acquisition due diligence, risk and compliance audits and corrective action plans. He has managed special investigation units; overseen Medicare and Medicaid audit readiness; guided organizations through Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, DOJ, and OIG actions; and handled provider claim reviews, contract audits and high-stakes healthcare litigation. 

“I’m excited to join BRG and work alongside such a talented team,” Merino said. “Healthcare organizations face increasingly complex regulatory and operational challenges, and I look forward to helping clients advance with data-driven insights and practical solutions that drive compliance and performance and assist in dispute resolution.”  

Merino will focus on providing expert witness and litigation support for high-profile legal actions. He will also provide advisory consulting to healthcare entities including providers, health plans, PBMs and pharmaceutical companies. 

Merino holds a JD from the Mississippi College School of Law and a BS from Florida State University. He is a frequent author and speaker at national healthcare conferences.