University Behavioral Health of El Paso (Texas) entered into an $860,000 civil settlement with the Department of Justice to resolve allegations the psychiatric hospital violated the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law.
The government alleged UBH, which is now known as El Paso Behavioral Health System, paid kickbacks to a physician in exchange for patient referrals. The government specifically claimed UBH paid the physician above fair market value or for services not rendered in return for referrals. UBH submitted false claims to Medicare for services provided to patients referred by the physician, according to the DOJ.
The settlement covers certain Medicare claims submitted by UBH from Feb. 1, 2010, through, Dec. 31, 2013.
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