Cincinnati-based West Chester Hospital and its parent company, UC Health, have agreed to pay $4.1 million to settle allegations that West Chester violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicare and Medicaid for medically unnecessary spine surgeries, according to the Department of Justice.
The medically unnecessary spine surgeries were performed by Abubaker Atiq Durrani, MD, a surgeon who had admitting privileges at West Chester. The surgeries were performed between 2009 and 2013, according to the DOJ.
The lawsuit was originally brought by former patients of Dr. Durrani under the qui tam, or whistle-blower, provisions of the False Claims Act.
In July 2013, Dr. Durrani was arrested and charged with healthcare fraud. He allegedly fled the United States following his arraignment.
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