LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A Las Vegas cardiology practice has agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle claims alleging that it referred patients for genetic testing in exchange for kickbacks paid by the testing companies, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will hold accountable fraudulent medical companies that seek to line their pockets by undermining the integrity of health care programs,” said U.S. Attorney Trutanich.
“We work closely with our law enforcement partners to stop illicit activity and I encourage individuals with information of fraud to make a report to authorities.”
From September 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013, Nevada Heart & Vascular Center (Resh), LLP (NHVC) was alleged to have referred Medicare patients to genetic testing companies Natural Molecular Testing Corp. and Iverson Genetic Diagnostics, Inc., in exchange for payments to the practice made by the testing companies.
The scheme was alleged to be in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and the civil False Claims Act.
NHVC has agreed to pay the United States $2.5 million to settle its potential liability in this matter.
The case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the FBI, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, and the Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Wenthe prosecuted the case.
This Settlement Agreement is neither an admission of liability by NHVC nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.
