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Las Vegas Cardiology Practice Loses In Gamble To Defraud Medicare

People love going to Las Vegas to gamble. Now, we all know that Nevada’s most populated city is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States for a wide variety of other reasons. Its hotels, its live shows and its restaurants are just a few of the amazing main features of The Entertainment Capital Of The World. However, Las Vegas’ casinos are arguably its most popular feature.

Who hasn’t gone to Vegas with the hopes of winning big bucks?

Needless to say, a lot of money can be won in Las Vegas. As well, a lot of money can be lost when you visit Las Vegas. As mentioned, it’s a gamble. And some gambles are simply not meant to pay off.

The Nevada Heart & Vascular Center (NHVC) recently found that out the hard way. As reported by the District of Nevada branch of the United States Department of Justice earlier this week, the cardiology practice has agreed to pay $2.5 million as part of a settlement claim.

The practice was accused of making patient referrals in exchange for kickbacks.

According to the DoJ report, the Nevada Heart & Vascular Center “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.” The announcement was made this past Tuesday by 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,” he is quoted as saying in the report, “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.”

The scheme was conducted over a nine month span.

From September 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013, the Nevada Heart & Vascular Center was alleged to have referred numerous Medicare patients to two different genetic testing companies: Natural Molecular Testing Corp. and Iverson Genetic Diagnostics, Inc. The referrals were offered in exchange for payments to NHVC made by the testing companies. To settle its potential liability in this matter, NHVC has agreed to pay the United States $2.5 million.

“The scheme was alleged to be in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and the civil False Claims Act,” says the DoJ, which adds that “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.”

Are you an attorney who is currently trying a health care fraud case?

Please don’t hesitate to contact Allegiant Experts to find out how our clinical expertise may help your case. Our experts have been providing expert clinical services for nearly two decades and can help your team by bridging the disciplines of medicine, coding and billing to ensure accurate payment and data is achieved. Give us a call at 407-217-5831 or email us at info@allegiantexperts.com.

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