Several Pensacola, Fla.-based radiation oncology providers — including one health system — will pay a cumulative $3.5 million to resolve false billing allegations.
Sacred Heart Health System, West Florida Medical Center Clinic P.A., Emerald Coast Radiation Oncology Center, Gulf Region Radiation Oncology Centers and MSO and two physicians allegedly billed Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare for services that were ineligible for payment, according to the DOJ.
The government claimed the allegedly fraudulent billing occurred between 2007 and 2011, when the defendants billed for services that were not supervised by a physician.
The DOJ alleged the services were often performed while the defendant physicians were vacationing or working at another radiation oncology clinic. The providers also allegedly billed for services when patients' medical records showed no evidence those services were rendered, according to the DOJ.
In addition to the monetary settlement, Gulf Region Radiation Oncology and the physicians entered into integrity agreements with the HHS Office of Inspector General.
Sacred Heart Health System, part of St. Louis-based Ascension Health, includes the 466-bed flagship Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
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