March 29, 2023

Michigan-based Covenant Healthcare System and two physicians, neurosurgeon Dr. Mark Adams and electrophysiologist Dr. Asim Yunus, have agreed to pay $69 million and about $406,500 and $346,000 respectively to resolve allegations of violating the Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, and False Claims Act.  Covenant allegedly provided Dr. Yunus and five other physicians medical directorship roles, employed Dr. Adams, forgave rent payments from another physician, and permitted a physician group to secure a lease on advantageous terms in exchange for referrals.  Covenant then submitted false claims based on those referrals to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE.  The claims were first raised by Dr. Stacy Goldsholl in a qui tam suit; Goldsholl will receive over $12 million from the three settlements.  USAO EDMI

Tagged in: Anti-Kickback and Stark, FCA Federal, Healthcare Fraud, Medicaid, Medicare, Other Government Health Programs, Whistleblower Case, Whistleblower Rewards,