Durham, N.C.-based Duke University Health System has agreed to pay $1 million to resolve allegations that it improperly charged Medicare and Medicaid.
The lawsuit against Duke Health alleged the health system billed the government for services provided by physician assistants during coronary artery bypass surgeries when the PAs were acting as surgical assistants, which is not allowed under government regulations, according to a Department of Justice report.
The lawsuit also alleged Duke Health increased billing by unbundling claims when the unbundling was not appropriate, according to the report.
The allegations arose from a whistle-blower lawsuit filed by a former employee of the health system who worked in the billing and collections offices.
"Healthcare fraud like this wastes tax dollars, harms patients who need care and drives up medical costs for all of us," said North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, in the Department of Justice release. "We're working closely with federal officials to root out this kind of fraud in
This settlement resolves all allegations against Duke Health made under the False Claims Act. Although Duke Health did agree to settle this lawsuit, the health system did not admit fault.
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