Advanced Radiology of Beverly Hills has agreed to pay the federal government $647,000 to settle allegations that they filed false claims with Medicare for unnecessary radiological tests. The United States civil lawsuit alleged that Advanced Radiology engaged in a scheme to bill Medicare for unnecessary tests performed at Advanced Radiology from 1999 through 2002. As part of the scheme, an Advanced Radiology contractor would recruit Medicare beneficiaries to undergo diagnostic tests, even though they were not needed.
The settlement resolves allegations initially made against Advanced Radiology in a “whistleblower” lawsuit filed pursuant to the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow a private party to file a civil action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the recovery.
The HLP recommends that you take a careful look at your documentation practices as regulatory compliance continues to take on critical importance in this health care environment.
For more information on this topic, feel free to call Adrienne Dresevic, Esq. or Carey F. Kalmowitz, Esq. of The Health Law Partners at (248) 996-8510.