Whistleblower News From The Inside — December 30, 2015
By the C|C Whistleblower Lawyer Team
Georgia’s Memorial Health settles with DOJ for almost $10 million – Savannah-based Memorial Health hospital system will pay $9.89 million to settle False Claims Act allegations that Memorial billed federal healthcare programs for services rendered in violation of the Stark Law. The settlement resolves allegations that were originally part of a federal lawsuit filed by whistleblower, and former Memorial CEO, Phillip Schaengold. S.D. Ga. USAO
New federal rule targets medical equipment often subject to fraud – “A federal rule issued Tuesday requires prior authorization before Medicare will pay for certain wheelchairs, prosthetics, orthotics and other medical equipment — sources of Medicare fraud and improper payments for years.” USA Today
Officials seek clampdown on elder fraud – “Grappling with growing financial exploitation of the elderly, state officials are pressing for laws that require financial advisers to report suspected ‘elder fraud’ to authorities.” WSJ
Apple to pay €318 million to settle Italy tax fraud case – Apple’s Italian subsidiary has agreed to pay $348 million following an investigation into tax fraud allegations by prosecutors in Milan related to claims by Italian tax authorities that the tech giant failed to pay €880 million in taxes between 2008 and 2013. BBC
Philadelphia’s Aria Health pays over $3 million to settle two FCA matters – Aria Health System will pay over $500,000 to resolve claims that one of its cardiologists performed unnecessary procedures and $2.5 million to settle claims it violated the Stark Law by making above fair-market-value payments to referring physicians. E.D. Pa. USAO
Arlington nursing home pays $600,000 to settle FCA claims – Pennsylvania-based Genesis Healthcare will pay $600,000 to settle allegations that it submitted false claims to the federal government in connection with its operation of a skilled nursing facility known as the Potomac Center, located in Arlington, Virginia. E.D. Va. USAO
Delaware physical therapy practice pays $710,000 to settle FCA claims – Delaware-based Old Towne Physical Therapy will pay $710,000 to settle allegations that it submitted claims to Medicare for improperly supervised physical therapy services. D. Del. USAO