The estate of Kenneth Michael Rice, MD, and Lubbock, Texas-based UMC Physicians have agreed to pay $3.28 million to the United States and the State of Texas to resolve allegations that Dr. Rice and UMCP violated the False Claims Act, according to the Department of Justice.
The federal government alleged that Dr. Rice, by and through UMCP, submitted false claims for payment to Medicaid and Medicare related to in-person evaluation and management services, as well as critical care services. The services were rendered from January 2008 through February 2015, the month of Dr. Rice's death.
Specifically, Dr. Rice, by and through UMCP, allegedly billed Medicare and Medicaid for in-person evaluation and management services at the higher physician fee rate, according to the DOJ. Dr. Rice and UMCP also allegedly billed normal evaluation and management services to Medicare at the higher critical-care rate. The Estate and UMCP deny the allegations.
The Estate of Dr. Rice agreed to pay the United States and the State of Texas $2 million, collectively, to settle the allegations. UMCP agreed to pay $1.28 million to settle the matter.
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