Compliance News Roundup: Semiannual Report for December 2018

1. Former Maryland Physician Agrees to Pay $400,000 to the United States to Resolve Allegations of Fraudulent Billing for Psychotherapy Services – “M. Wagdi Attia, M.D., a physician who until April 1, 2018, had a medical practice in Gaithersburg, Maryland, has agreed to pay the United States $400,000 to resolve allegations that from January 1, 2013, through May 31, 2017, Dr. Attia fraudulently billed Medicare and Medicaid for services not rendered. Get the full scoop >>

2. Medical Device Maker ev3 to Plead Guilty and Pay $17.9 Million for Distributing Adulterated Device; Covidien Paid $13 Million to Resolve Civil Liability for Second Device – “The Department of Justice will hold corporations accountable when they violate laws designed to protect consumers and protect public funds,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division.  “This resolution demonstrates the Department’s continued commitment to protect taxpayer dollars and deter companies from putting profits before patient safety.” Get the full scoop >>

3. Deeper Than the Headlines: Semiannual Report for December 2018 – In November, the OIG published their Semiannual Report to Congress. Those of you who are familiar with the report know it contains a great summary of investigations, enforcement and other insights from recent work performed by the OIG. OIG’s enforcement work continues to produce impressive results. During the fiscal year of 2018, OIG reported expected investigative recoveries of $2.91 billion, criminal actions against 764 individuals or entities that engaged in crimes against HHS programs, exclusion of 2,712 individuals and entities, and civil actions against 813 individuals or entities.  Key to the OIG’s successes is their partnerships with the Department of Justice, Medicaid Fraud Control Units, and other Federal, State, and local agencies. Get the full scoop >>