The former CEO of a hospital-physician joint venture in Roseburg, Ore., has filed a federal lawsuit against his former employer, claiming he was fired for reporting $10 million in fraudulent Medicare payments, according to The Oregonian.
Robert Dannenhoffer, MD, helped create Architrave Health, a joint venture between Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg and Douglas County Individual Practice Association, in 2013. He was terminated from his position as Architrave's CEO last February, just three weeks after he disclosed to CMS that Umpqua Medical Group — a subsidiary of Architrave — had a payment structure in place that paid its physicians more every time they prescribed certain procedures and drugs for Medicare patients. Dr. Dannenhoffer claims the payment structure violated the False Claims Act and Stark Law and resulted in $10 million in inflated Medicare payments.
Dr. Dannenhoffer further alleges Architrave officials have purposely prevented him from securing another job.
"Architrave and its members…have told members of the Roseburg medical community that they will have nothing to do with Dr. Dannenhoffer in retaliation for his unwillingness to go along with their fraudulent schemes," the lawsuit states.
In his lawsuit, Dr. Dannenhoffer is seeking reinstatement as Architrave's CEO, back pay, punitive damages and attorney's fees.
Architrave officials declined The Oregonian's request to comment on the pending litigation.
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