Two healthcare advocates are taking action against Tulare County and a federally funded clinic in Tulare, Calif., on suspicion that a group of physicians is being overpaid by the county, according to a Fresno Bee news report.
Hillman Pediatric Health Care Clinic is operated by a group of physicians under a county contract and led by pediatrician Prem Kamboj, MD. County officials say the $96 fee per visit was negotiated and is fair market value, but Bob Montion, a former CEO of Tulare District Hospital, says the amount is "unreasonable," according to the report.
Mr. Montion says payments typically cover all costs of operation, but Dr. Kamboj and other physicians are pocketing the $96 fee per visit without paying any bills or other overhead costs. Dr. Kamboj has defended his actions, saying that he has paid for fees of specialist physicians and the salaries and benefits of physicians' assistants, nurses and other staff members who are not county employees, according to the report.
Mr. Montion says he is working with an attorney to file a federal whistleblower lawsuit under the False Claims Act.
Read the Fresno Bee news report about the Tulane payouts.
Read other coverage about physician fraud:
- Prosecutors Seek Life Sentence for Kansas Family Practitioner, Wife for Healthcare Fraud, False Prescriptions, Other Allegations
- Washington Releases Statement on Disciplinary Action Taken Against Physicians Engaging in Fraud
- New York Podiatrist guilty of Medicare Fraud, Sentencing Delayed Due to New Charges
Hillman Pediatric Health Care Clinic is operated by a group of physicians under a county contract and led by pediatrician Prem Kamboj, MD. County officials say the $96 fee per visit was negotiated and is fair market value, but Bob Montion, a former CEO of Tulare District Hospital, says the amount is "unreasonable," according to the report.
Mr. Montion says payments typically cover all costs of operation, but Dr. Kamboj and other physicians are pocketing the $96 fee per visit without paying any bills or other overhead costs. Dr. Kamboj has defended his actions, saying that he has paid for fees of specialist physicians and the salaries and benefits of physicians' assistants, nurses and other staff members who are not county employees, according to the report.
Mr. Montion says he is working with an attorney to file a federal whistleblower lawsuit under the False Claims Act.
Read the Fresno Bee news report about the Tulane payouts.
Read other coverage about physician fraud:
- Prosecutors Seek Life Sentence for Kansas Family Practitioner, Wife for Healthcare Fraud, False Prescriptions, Other Allegations
- Washington Releases Statement on Disciplinary Action Taken Against Physicians Engaging in Fraud
- New York Podiatrist guilty of Medicare Fraud, Sentencing Delayed Due to New Charges