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By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On July 7, 2016, a Kentucky-based home health care chain, MD2U Holding Co. (MD2U), agreed to pay up to $21.5 million and admit False Claims Act (FCA) violations. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the deal is in connection with “extreme” billing practices that saw Medicare billed for false and unnecessary treatments.

The Complaint.

According to a complaint filed, MD2U frequently utilized billing codes reserved for the highest level of treatment when delivering primary care services in residential settings. The frequency with which the codes were used by MD2U made the company an “extreme outlier” among Medicare providers, the complaint said. The DOJ also described several other aspects of MD2U’s scheme. For example, it said that MD2U overbilled Medicare by “embellishing and, at times, fabricating the homebound and home-limited status of its patients.” “MD2U’s corporate culture was a one-code-fits-all mentality,” regardless of medical necessity, the DOJ wrote.

Click here to read the complaint in full.

The Deal.

MD2U and its various subsidiaries struck a deal with the DOJ that denies any intentional wrongdoing but also accepts responsibility for the submission of false claims from the time frame of mid-2007 to late 2014. The fraudulent overbilling was “due in part to the actions of a former employee,” according to a consent judgment. Click here to read the consent judgement in full.

MD2U, which also operates in Florida, agreed to dish out $21.5 million through a payment structure. Specifically, MD2U agreed to an up front payment sum of $300,000 and guaranteed payments over the next five years totaling $3 million. Additionally, MD2U also promised to hand over 25 percent to 50 percent of its net income annually through the year 2021. Click here to read the DOJ’s press release.

To learn more about the repercussions of fraudulent overbilling, click here to read one of my prior blogs.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Handling Medicare Audits, Investigations and other Legal Proceedings.

The Health Law Firm’s attorneys routinely represent physicians, dentists, orthodontists, medical groups, clinics, pharmacies, assisted living facilities (AFLs), home health care agencies, nursing homes, group homes and other healthcare providers in Medicaid and Medicare investigations, audits and recovery actions.

To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

Overley, Jeff. “Home Care Co. Inks $21.5M FCA Deal Over ‘Extreme’ Billing.” Law360. (July 7, 2016). Web.

Greer, Carolyn. “MD2U, owners admit violating federal law, agree to pay millions.” Louisville Business Journal. (July 8, 2016). 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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