March 7, 2018

UPMC Hamot, affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and Medicor Associates Inc., a regional physician cardiology practice, agreed to pay $20.7 million to settle charges of violating the False Claims Act, Anti‑Kickback Statute and Stark Law through Hamot’s payment under twelve physician and administrative services arrangements to secure Medicor patient referrals. Hamot allegedly had no legitimate need for the services contracted for, and in some instances the services either were duplicative or were not performed. The allegations originated in a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act by former Medicor employee Dr. Tullio Emanuele. He will receive a whistleblower award of roughly $6 million from the proceeds of the government’s recovery. DOJ

Tagged in: Anti-Kickback and Stark, FCA Federal, Hospital Fraud, Lack of Medical Necessity, Provider Fraud, Whistleblower Case, Whistleblower Rewards,