Compliance News Roundup: 268.1 Million in Restitution: Highlights From the OIG Semiannual Report

1. Dallas-Based Physician - Owned Hospital to Pay $7.5 Million to Settle Allegations of Paying Kickbacks to Physicians in Exchange for Surgical Referrals - “Pine Creek Medical Center LLC (“Pine Creek”), a physician-owned hospital serving the Dallas/Fort Worth area, has agreed to pay $7.5 million to resolve claims that it violated the False Claims Act by paying physicians kickbacks in the form of marketing services in exchange for surgical referrals, the Department of Justice announced today.” Get the full scoop >>

2. Meadows Regional Medical Center, Inc. and Affiliates To Pay Up To $12.875 Million To Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Violations - “Meadows Regional Medical Center, Inc. (“Meadows”) and others have agreed to pay the United States and Georgia a total of up to $12,875,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act. The United States and State of Georgia contended that Meadows and others violated and conspired to violate the False Claims Act by submitting claims referred by physicians with whom Meadows had improper compensation arrangements, in violation of the Stark Law and the Anti-Kickback Statute. As part of the settlement, Meadows has also entered into a corporate integrity agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).” Get the full scoop >>

3. Deeper Than the Headlines: 268.1 Million in Restitution: Highlights From the OIG Semiannual Report - On November 30th, the OIG posted its Semiannual Report to Congress. The report is a summary of the OIG’s activities and covers the period from April 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017. About 80% of the OIG’s resources are focused on Medicare and Medicaid. Some highlights include a series of prison sentences and millions paid in restitution. Dr. Jacques Roy was sentenced to 35 years in prison and jointly and severally with his co-defendants, ordered to pay $268.1 million in restitution following his conviction on several counts of healthcare fraud. OIG’s investigation found that Roy and his co-defendants were involved in a large-scale, sophisticated scheme to improperly recruit patients and bill Medicare for unnecessary home health services. Get the full scoop >>