These settlements which stem from three related whistleblower actions filed under the federal False Claims Act for paying renumeration to physicians in exchange for patient referrals and billing federal health care programs including Medicare, for medically unnecessary testing. The Anti-Kickback Statute is intended to ensure that a physician’s medical judgment is not compromised by improper financial incentives and is instead based on the best interests of the patient.
“The District of South Carolina has more than doubled its resources allocated to the pursuit of fraud, including matters brought to our attention by whistleblowers. Whistleblower actions are a critical tool for holding healthcare providers accountable for fraudulent and abusive practices not only in South Carolina but nationwide.” – Bill Nettles