June 29, 2016

Minneapolis-based Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (CSI) agreed to pay $8 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by paying illegal kickbacks to induce physicians to use the company’s medical devices.  According to the government, CSI developed and distributed marketing materials to promote physicians using CSI’s devices to referring physicians; coordinated meetings between these physicians and referring physicians; and developed and implemented business expansion plans for the physicians.  The government alleged that CSI engaged in these activities to induce doctors to begin to use or continue to use CSI’s devices.  The allegations originated in whistleblower lawsuit filed by former CSI employee Travis Thams under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act.  He will receive a yet-to-be-determined whistleblower award from a share of the government’s recovery.  DOJ (WDNC)

Tagged in: Anti-Kickback and Stark, FCA Federal, Medical Devices and DME, Whistleblower Case, Whistleblower Rewards,