A former executive at Progressive Care S.C., an oncology practice in Chicago, has filed a whistle-blower suit accusing three physicians of improperly billing Medicare and violating the Stark Law, according to a Chicago Crain's Business report.
The suit accuses the physicians of prescribing a costly cancer medication to increase Medicare reimbursements, and of improperly referring patients to healthcare facilities in which they have a financial stake, according to the report.
Mark Singer, the whistle-blowing former COO, may face credibility issues as the lawsuit proceeds, according to the suit. He was dismissed for allegedly embezzling more than $1 million from the practice (a trial is pending).
"At the end of the day, it really is the facts and evidence that matter, but the nature and caliber of a whistle-blower are also relevant," Patrick Coffey, an attorney not involved in the case, told Chicago Crain's Business. "The alleged misdeeds on the whistle-blower's part, you can well imagine, will be part and parcel of a defense that says he's a bad guy, he's lied and he's not trustworthy."
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