June 20, 2018

Healogics, a Florida-based company which runs a chain of wound care centers, has settled FCA allegations that it improperly billed for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (a modality in which the entire body is exposed to oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure, as an adjunctive therapy to treat certain chronic wounds). The company paid $22.5M to settle allegations that it billed for unnecessary or unreasonable hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The allegations were brought to the government’s attention by four whistleblowers, James Wilcox, Dr. Benjamin Van Raalte, Dr. Michael Cascio, and John Murtangh. The whistleblowers will receive a $4.28M reward. Separately, Healogics also paid $398K to settle another FCA case alleging that it improperly applied Modifier 25, which signifies that a separate evaluation and management service was performed on the same day as another procedure, to claims that were sent to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. The allegations were brought to light by a whistleblower, who will receive a $91K reward. DOJ;  USAO Northern District of Iowa

Tagged in: FCA Federal, Lack of Medical Necessity, Medical Billing Fraud, Provider Fraud, Whistleblower Case, Whistleblower Rewards,