An internist formerly practicing with Lee Physician Group in Fort Myers, Fla., has accused the medical practice of knowingly overcharging Medicare for patient physicals, according to a Naples News report.
Juan Domingo, MD, originally filed the complaint in May 2009, alleging that he was terminated from the group a few weeks after he raised the issue of overcharging to practice officials. Dr. Domingo also alleges he brought the issue to the attention of officials at Lee Memorial Health System, also named as a defendant.
Lee Physician Group, which had 84 physicians in 2009, is a division of Lee Memorial. Dr. Domingo helped found the practice and served as assistant medical director from 1995-1997.
The lawsuit does not include a dollar figure of how much Dr. Domingo believes Medicare was falsely charged. However, the lawsuit alleges that 10-14 physicians engaged in "upcoding" from Aug. 21, 2007-Dec. 23, 2008.
The U.S. Attorney's Office has declined to intervene in the case.
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Juan Domingo, MD, originally filed the complaint in May 2009, alleging that he was terminated from the group a few weeks after he raised the issue of overcharging to practice officials. Dr. Domingo also alleges he brought the issue to the attention of officials at Lee Memorial Health System, also named as a defendant.
Lee Physician Group, which had 84 physicians in 2009, is a division of Lee Memorial. Dr. Domingo helped found the practice and served as assistant medical director from 1995-1997.
The lawsuit does not include a dollar figure of how much Dr. Domingo believes Medicare was falsely charged. However, the lawsuit alleges that 10-14 physicians engaged in "upcoding" from Aug. 21, 2007-Dec. 23, 2008.
The U.S. Attorney's Office has declined to intervene in the case.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
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California Senate Committee Passes Bill to Let Insurance Commissioner Review Insurance Rate Hikes
Health Reform Law to Drastically Cut Number of Uninsured Wisconsin Residents