June 28, 2019

The nation’s largest operator of inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) has agreed to pay $48 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act.  Three separate lawsuits filed by former contract physician Dr. Emese Simon, former director of therapy operations Melissa Higgins, and former medical director Dr. Darius Clarke, alleged a number of Encompass Health Corporation, f/k/a HealthSouth Corporation IDFs, falsely diagnosed patients with “disuse myopathy” and improperly admitted patients too sick or disabled to participate in physical therapy in order to earn higher reimbursements from Medicare.  The whistleblowers’ collective share of the settlement is $12.4 million.  DOJ; USAO MDFL

Tagged in: FCA Federal, Healthcare Fraud, Medicare, Provider Fraud, SNF, Whistleblower Case, Whistleblower Rewards,