8 Recent Anti-Kickback Lawsuits

The following is a roundup of lawsuits filed under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute that were reported in the last six months.

1. Somerset Medical Center Settles Kickback Allegations
Somerville, N.J.-based Somerset Medical Center agreed to pay $435,640 to settle allegations it violated the Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act by making improper rental payments to a cardiology group in exchange for referrals.

2. Amedisys to Pay $150M to Settle False Claims, Anti-Kickback, Stark Law Allegations
Baton Rouge, La.-based Amedisys, one of the country's largest providers of home health services, and its affiliates agreed to pay the government $150 million to resolve allegations brought under the False Claims Act.

3. West Penn Allegheny Health System to Pay $1.5M to Settle Kickback Allegations
Pittsburgh-based West Penn Allegheny Health System agreed to pay the government $1.5 million to settle False Claims Act allegations. The government filed a complaint alleging the health system leased space to physicians at below-market rates to induce referrals of patients to WPAHS, in alleged violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law.

4. Memorial Hospital in Ohio Pays $8.5M to Settle Kickback Allegations
Memorial Hospital in Fremont, Ohio, agreed to pay the government $8.5 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Statute by engaging in improper financial relationships with referring physicians.

5. Justice Dept. Joins Whistle-Blower Suit Against Tenet, HMA
The U.S. Department of Justice intervened in a whistle-blower lawsuit against Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare and Health Management Associates, based in Naples, Fla., alleging the organizations provided kickbacks to obstetrics clinics that referred undocumented Hispanic women to several of the health systems' hospitals for labor and delivery.

6. EndoGastric Solutions Reaches $5M Settlement for Alleged Fraud
Redmond, Wash.-based EndoGastric Solutions agreed to pay $5.25 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute by inappropriately advising healthcare providers when billing federal healthcare programs for a procedure using one of the company's devices.

7. Saint Joseph London Settles to Pay $16.5M to Settle Allegations of Unnecessary Procedures, False Claims
Saint Joseph London (Ky.) Hospital agreed to pay $16.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law.

8. St. James Healthcare to Settle Anti-Kickback, Stark Law Allegations with $3.9M
St. James Healthcare in Butte, Mont., and parent company Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System in Denver, agreed to pay $3.85 million to resolve allegations of illegally providing financial benefits to physicians who made referrals to the hospital.

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