By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
Several genetic testing companies have come into the spotlight for allegations of ripping off Medicare and False Claims Act (FCA) violations. Health care professionals need to be aware of these types of schemes and the dangers they may face if involved. In each of these cases, the companies agreed to a pay a settlement in the millions to resolve allegations they submitted claims for unnecessary genetic testing.
This is part one of a two part blog series. Click here for part two.
The Details.
On February 11, 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that GenomeDx Biosciences Corp. (GenomeDx) agreed to pay $1.99 million to resolve FCA allegations. The false claims to Medicare were for a post-operative genetic test for prostate cancer patients. GenomeDx allegedly submitted claims for the genetic test to Medicare between September 2015 and June 2017. They were not medically reasonable nor necessary because the prostate cancer patients did not have risk factors necessitating the test. You can read the DOJ’s press release and learn more here.
In a similar case, on March 8, 2018, the U.S. Attorney announced a settlement with a California genetics testing company, Natera, Inc. The company agreed to pay $11 million to resolve FCA allegations for improperly billing TRICARE for non-invasive prenatal testing. According to the government, Natera improperly billed for genetic screenings to test a baby’s risk for certain disorders and syndromes. Natera allegedly used an improper billing code to misrepresent the services and screened patients with low-risk pregnancies who did not need it, according to the government. The suit was initiated by a pair of whistleblowers under the qui tam provisions of the FCA.
Click here to read the press release in full.
Consequences of These Types of Scams.
In both cases, the message is clear, “if you take advantage of programs like Medicare, you will be held accountable,” according to the government. Companies and providers who file false claims to generate more revenue are stealing from the taxpayers and those who rely on those federally funded programs.
Don’t allow your name, provider number and NPI to be used for ordering illegal medically unnecessary tests, procedures or treatments. If you do, you may very well find yourself caught up in a similar FCA or other government investigation. These hefty settlements send a message that pursuing healthcare fraud is a priority to the DOJ. In 2018, it recovered more than $2.8 billion from FCA cases alone. Click here to learn more.
Be sure to continue with part two of this blog series to learn more about these types of fraud scams.
Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced with FCA, Qui Tam or Whistle Blower Cases.
Attorneys with The Health Law Firm also represent physicians, clinics, health care professionals and health facilities in qui tam or whistle blower cases both in defending such claims and in bringing such claims. We have developed relationships with recognized experts in health care accounting, health care financing, utilization review, medical review, filling, coding, and other services that assist us in such matters. We also represent doctors, nurses and others as relators (whistle blowers) in bringing qui tam or whistle blower cases, as well. We represent health professionals and health facilities in complex litigation involving medical issues in state and federal courts.
To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.
Sources:
“Genetic Testing Company Settles Whistleblower Suit for $11.4M.” Constantine Cannon Lawyer Group. (March 14, 2018). Web.
“Whistleblower Suit Over Falsified Prenatal Test Billing Settles.” Allison Legal Law Firm. (March 11, 2018). Web.
Raymond, Nate. “Natera settles U.S. billing probe over prenatal gene tests for $11.4 mln.” Reuters. (March 12, 2018). Web.
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.
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