15 False Claims Act settlements over $1.5M

Here are 15 False Claims Act settlements healthcare companies reached with the federal government since February 2018.

1. Florida physician network pays $1.7M for allegedly misusing billing codes
FWC Urogynecology, a network of urogynecologists throughout Florida, has agreed to pay the federal government $1.7 million to resolve allegations it violated the False Claims Act, according to the Department of Justice.

2. Hospice operator pays $8.5M to settle False Claims Act lawsuit
Hospice chain Caris Healthcare agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle allegations that it knowingly retained overpayments for patients that were ineligible for the Medicare hospice benefit.

3. Operator of 116 SNFs will pay $30M to settle billing fraud allegations           
Louisville, Ky.-based Signature Healthcare, which operates 116 skilled nursing facilities across the nation, has agreed to pay more than $30 million to settle False Claims Act allegations, according to the Department of Justice.

4. 13-hospital Louisiana health system settles false claims allegations for $1.7M
Shreveport, La.-based Allegiance Health Management, a 13-hospital post-acute health system, agreed to a $1.7 million settlement to resolve False Claims Act allegations.                           

5. Memorial Hermann will pay $1.9M to settle improper billing allegations   
Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System has agreed to pay the federal government $1.9 million to resolve allegations three of its hospitals improperly billed Medicare for inpatient services provided to beneficiaries that should have been billed as less costly outpatient care, according to the Department of Justice.

6. 23-hospital system enters $14M settlement with feds over improper physician payments    
Mercy Health, a 23-hospital system based in Cincinnati, agreed to pay the federal government $14.25 million to resolve allegations the system violated the False Claims Act, according to the Department of Justice

7. Nurse collects $6M in whistle-blower lawsuits against Banner, Christus and Renown Health
Over the past decade, Cecilia Guardiola, RN, has filed whistle-blower lawsuits against hospitals that have employed her in Texas, Nevada and Arizona, and those facilities have paid nearly $33 million to the federal government to settle those cases, according to The Republic.

8. Chain of 96 urgent care centers will pay $6.6M to settle false billing allegations
New York City-based CityMD, which operates 96 urgent care centers nationwide, has agreed to pay the federal government $6.6 million to settle false claims allegations, according to the Department of Justice.

9. San Diego lab pays $2M to settle false claims allegations            
A diagnostic laboratory testing company in San Diego agreed to pay $2 million to resolve allegations of submitting false claims to Medicare.

10. Banner Health will pay $18M to settle false claims allegations   
Banner Health, a 28-hospital system based in Phoenix, has agreed to pay the federal government more than $18 million to resolve allegations that 12 of its hospitals in Arizona and Colorado submitted false claims to Medicare, according to the Department of Justice.

11. Orthopedic, anesthesia providers settle false claims allegations for $3.2M   
Newnan-based Georgia Bone & Joint, Summit Orthopaedic Surgery Center, Southern Crescent Anesthesiology medical group, Sentry Anesthesia Management, as well as certified registered nurse anesthetist David LaGuardia, agreed to pay the federal government $3.2 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act, according to the Department of Justice.

12. Long-term care provider pays $10.3M to resolve false billing allegations   
CenterLight Healthcare and CenterLight Health System agreed to pay $10.3 million to resolve allegations of false Medicaid billing, according to a March 28 news release from the office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

13. Iowa hospital pays $1.88M to settle Medicare overpayments case           
Genesis Medical Center in Davenport, Iowa, has agreed to pay $1.88 million to the federal government to resolve allegations it violated the False Claims Act, according to the Department of Justice.

14. UPMC Hamot, cardiology practice ink $20.7M settlement in kickback case
UPMC Hamot and cardiology practice Medicor Associates, both in Erie, Pa., finalized an agreement to pay the federal government $20.7 million to settle allegations they knowingly submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law, according to the Department of Justice.

15. Vermont hospital paid $1.7M to settle false claims allegations   
Brattleboro (Vt.) Memorial Hospital paid Vermont and the federal government approximately $1.7 million to resolve civil allegations it violated the False Claims Act, according to the Department of Justice.

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