FCA Federal

August 2, 2017

Atlanta-based pain management clinic Atlanta Medical Clinic and its owner Dr. Timothy Dembowski agreed to pay $250,000 to resolve charges they violated the False Claims Act by billing for services performed by a physician suspended from the Medicare program and administering foreign, non-FDA approved drugs, which are not eligible for reimbursement under the Medicare program.  DOJ (NDGA)

July 24, 2017

Dr. James Norman, the owner and operator of Norman Parathyroid Center, agreed to pay $4 million to resolve allegations he violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicare for pre-operative examination services for which he had already received payment from the government.  These extra fees ranged from $150 to $750 for Florida residents, to $1,750 or more for patients who lived out-of-state, adding up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in illicit billing.  The allegations originated in a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act by a former patient of Dr. Norman, Myra Gross, and her husband, Dr. David Gross.  They will receive a whistleblower award of roughly $600,000 from the proceeds of the government's recovery.  DOJ (MDFL)

July 21, 2017

Baton Rouge-based home healthcare company Charter Home Health agreed to pay $1.7 million to settle charges of violating the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute by paying for patient referrals.  DOJ (MDLA)

July 14, 2017

Narco Freedom, Inc., a former operator of outpatient chemical dependency clinics, Joining Hands Management Inc., an operator of short-term residences known as “three-quarter houses,” and Joining Hands co-owner Devorah Haigler, settled claims of violating the False Claims Act.  The government will receive a $50.5 million allowed claim in the Narco Freedom bankruptcy proceeding, and Joining Hands and Haigler will pay $300,000.  The government alleged the defendants engaged in a kickback scheme whereby Narco made monthly cash payments to Joining Hands in exchange for Haigler and others referring residents of Joining Hands three-quarter houses to NARCO outpatient programs.  The allegations originated in a whistleblower lawsuit under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act.  An unidentified whistleblower will receive an undisclosed whistleblower award from the proceeds of the government's recovery.  DOJ (SDNY)