Prestigious New York Hospitals Settle False Claims Act Complaint Alleging Medicare Fraud
- October 11, 2011 by Qui Tam
- Federal False Claims Act, Healthcare
On October 6, 2011, federal authorities announced the settlement of a health care fraud lawsuit against the trustees of Columbia University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Dr. Erik Goluboff for $995,000. The settlement resolves allegations that the defendants caused Medicare to be over-billed for urological procedures and billed for urological tests that were medically unnecessary.
Specifically, the lawsuit alleged that Dr. Goluboff, a urologic oncologist, violated Medicare regulations by conducting diagnostic tests that were medically unnecessary, billing Medicare for those tests in such a way as to generate improper and excessive reimbursement amounts, and billing Medicare for more procedures than he was physically able to perform in a given day.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “This case should serve as a reminder that regardless of how well-established or prestigious the entity or individual, this office will pursue those who engage in Medicare fraud.”
For more information see: http://www.empirestatenews.net/News/20111006-1.html