OIG Exclusion Screening

04-30-2020

After it self-disclosed conduct to OIG, Morehouse Community Medical Centers, Inc. (MCMC), Louisiana, agreed to pay $102,245.46 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law. OIG alleged that MCMC employed an individual that it knew or should have known was excluded from participation in Federal health care programs.

04-22-2020

On April 22, 2020, in connection with the resolution of his False Claims Act liability, Maaz Abbasi, M.D., Houston, Texas, agreed to be excluded under 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7(b)(7) for three years. The investigation revealed that in exchange for illegal remuneration: (1) Dr. Abbasi signed Medicare Home Health Certifications and Plans of Care certifying patient eligibility for home health services without any knowledge of the patients’ medical condition or homebound status; and (2) Dr. Abbasi signed another physician’s signature on Medicare Home Health Certifications and Plans of Care certifying patient eligibility for home health services without the physician’s authorization, permission, or knowledge, and without any knowledge of the patients’ medical condition or homebound status. Senior Counsel Ellen Slavin represented OIG.

03-12-2020

On March 12, 2020, OIG excluded Whispering Knoll, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, for defaulting on payment obligations under a settlement agreement with OIG wherein OIG alleged that Whispering Knoll employed an individual who was excluded from participating in any Federal health care program. Whispering Knoll’s exclusion will remain in effect until it cures the default of its payment obligations and OIG reinstates Whispering Knoll’s participation in Federal health care programs. Senior Counsel Nancy Brown represented OIG with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Jennifer Hilton.

02-03-2020

After it self-disclosed conduct to OIG, VHS Harlingen Hospital Company, LLC d/b/a Valley Baptist Medical Center (VBMC), Texas, agreed to pay $159,084.25 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law. OIG alleged that VBMC employed an individual that it knew or should have known was excluded from participation in Federal health care programs.

01-22-2020

After it self-disclosed conduct to OIG, Windsor Hospital Corporation d/b/a Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (Mt. Ascutney), Vermont, agreed to pay $10,000 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law. OIG alleged that Mt. Ascutney employed an individual that it knew or should have known was excluded from participation in Federal health care programs.