The OIG has announced it has entered into a $7.3 million civil settlement agreement with Chicago-based, physician-owned United Shockwave Services, United Prostate Centers and United Urology Centers (United) over charges that United violated federal anti-kickback laws.
United, which provides hospitals with lithotripsy and laser services and equipment, is accused of soliciting and receiving payments from hospitals in exchange for patient referrals.
Specifically, OIG alleged that United, and some of its physician-owners, leveraged patient referrals to obtain contract business from hospitals in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa and caused certain hospitals to submit claims for designated health services that resulted from prohibited referrals in violation of the Physician Self-Referral Law (Stark law).
"This settlement sends a strong message that companies, including those with physician-owners, cannot use federal healthcare beneficiary referrals to line their pockets by securing business from hospitals or other providers," said Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in a press release. "We continue to have serious kickback concerns when companies link investment opportunities to the ability to generate business and offer returns on investment that are disproportionate to business risk."
In agreeing to the civil monetary penalty, United denies any liability.
Read the OIG press release on the lithotripsy Stark settlement (pdf).
Read about other recent anti-kickback settlements:
- Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, Christ Hospital Pay $108M to Settle Federal Kickback Accusations
- South Texas Health Systems Paying $27M to Settle Physician Kickback Charges
- California Cardiology Lab to Pay $3.6M to Settle Fraud Allegations
United, which provides hospitals with lithotripsy and laser services and equipment, is accused of soliciting and receiving payments from hospitals in exchange for patient referrals.
Specifically, OIG alleged that United, and some of its physician-owners, leveraged patient referrals to obtain contract business from hospitals in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa and caused certain hospitals to submit claims for designated health services that resulted from prohibited referrals in violation of the Physician Self-Referral Law (Stark law).
"This settlement sends a strong message that companies, including those with physician-owners, cannot use federal healthcare beneficiary referrals to line their pockets by securing business from hospitals or other providers," said Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in a press release. "We continue to have serious kickback concerns when companies link investment opportunities to the ability to generate business and offer returns on investment that are disproportionate to business risk."
In agreeing to the civil monetary penalty, United denies any liability.
Read the OIG press release on the lithotripsy Stark settlement (pdf).
Read about other recent anti-kickback settlements:
- Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, Christ Hospital Pay $108M to Settle Federal Kickback Accusations
- South Texas Health Systems Paying $27M to Settle Physician Kickback Charges
- California Cardiology Lab to Pay $3.6M to Settle Fraud Allegations