Radiology center pays more than $500K to resolve health care fraud allegations

Advanced Imaging of Port Charlotte, LLC, a radiology center headquartered in Port Charlotte, has agreed to pay $501,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare and Tricare, a health care program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families.

As part of the settlement, the United States contends that Advanced Imaging knowingly submitted claims to Medicare and Tricare by (1) administering dye-contrast scans without direct physician supervision as required by Federal regulations and (2) improperly billing for services performed by doctors who were not properly credentialed by Medicare.

“This settlement reflects our continuing efforts to protect our military and their families, our community, and the taxpayers by ensuring that the care provided to beneficiaries of government-funded health care programs is consistent with federal regulations,” said United States Attorney Chapa Lopez. “We will continue to hold health care providers accountable when they provide services by individuals who are not credentialed, licensed, or appropriately supervised.”

“Working alongside our investigative partners, The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to protecting the integrity of the U.S. Military Healthcare program,” said Cynthia A. Bruce, Special Agent in Charge, DCIS Southeast Field Office. “DCIS appreciates the continual support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office throughout Florida for their efforts to recoup financial losses which will be used for the care of our military beneficiaries.”

This settlement resulted from a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, DCIS, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The investigation was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Sullivan.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. The civil settlement resolves the following captioned cases: United States, et al. v. KMH Cardiology Centres, Inc., et al., 2:16-cv-618-TPB-MRM, and United States of America, et al. v. SAVN Administrative Services, Inc., et al., 2:16-cv-622-SPC-MRM.