October 4, 2017
Four Houston-area hospitals agreed to pay $8.6 million to settle allegations they violated the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute by receiving kickbacks from various ambulance companies in exchange for rights to the hospitals’ more lucrative Medicare and Medicaid transport referrals. The hospitals are all affiliated with Nashville-based Hospital Corporation of America include Bayshore Medical Center, Clear Lake Regional Medical Center, West Houston Medical Center and East Houston Regional Medical Center. The allegations originated in two whistleblower lawsuits filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. The whistleblowers will receive an award from the proceeds of the government’s recovery. DOJ (SDTX)
Tagged in: Anti-Kickback and Stark, FCA Federal, Hospital Fraud, Whistleblower Case, Whistleblower Rewards,