Satilla Regional Medical Center in Waycross, Ga., has paid $840,000 to settle federal allegations that it submitted Medicare claims for unnecessary procedures, according to a Florida Times-Union report.
The hospital allegedly submitted claims for endovascular procedures performed by surgeon Najam Azmat, MD. Dr. Azmat was not properly credentialed nor qualified to perform such services, according to the report.
The hospital has denied the allegations but agreed to the resolution. The federal charges were filed in 2010 and stem from a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a nurse who formerly worked in Satilla's heart center, where the alleged unnecessary care took place.
The U.S. Attorney's Office claimed several patients were seriously injured and one patient died in connection with Dr. Azmat's care. He has not practiced at Satilla since 2007. The date range of his alleged improper activity was not provided in the report.
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The hospital allegedly submitted claims for endovascular procedures performed by surgeon Najam Azmat, MD. Dr. Azmat was not properly credentialed nor qualified to perform such services, according to the report.
The hospital has denied the allegations but agreed to the resolution. The federal charges were filed in 2010 and stem from a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a nurse who formerly worked in Satilla's heart center, where the alleged unnecessary care took place.
The U.S. Attorney's Office claimed several patients were seriously injured and one patient died in connection with Dr. Azmat's care. He has not practiced at Satilla since 2007. The date range of his alleged improper activity was not provided in the report.
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