OIG Exclusion Screening

08-05-2019

On August 5, 2019, in connection with the resolution of his False Claims Act liability, Donald R. Peterson, Overland Park, Kansas, agreed to be excluded from participation in all Federal health care programs under 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(b)(7). OIG alleged that Peterson, through IVXpress, Inc., submitted claims to Medicare for infusions and/or injections that lacked the requisite direct supervision of the infusion and/or injection by a physician or nurse practitioner. Associate Counsel Dennis Pangindian represented OIG.

07-31-2019

After it self-disclosed conduct to OIG, Garfield Park Behavioral Hospital (GPBH), Illinois, agreed to pay $10,000 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law. OIG alleged that GPBH employed an individual that it knew or should have known was excluded from participation in Federal health care programs.

07-25-2019

After it self-disclosed conduct to OIG, General Physician, P.C. (GP), New York, agreed to pay $10,957.86 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law. OIG alleged that GP employed an individual that it knew or should have known was excluded from participation in Federal health care programs.

07-18-2019

On July 18, 2019, Richard Mintz, D.O., a physician in Dresher, Pennsylvania, agreed to be excluded from participation in all Federal health care programs for a period of 7 years under 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(b)(6)(B). OIG alleged that Dr. Mintz issued medically unnecessary prescriptions for opioids in exchange for cash which failed to meet the professionally recognized standards of care. Senior Counsel Lisa Veigel represented OIG.

07-12-2019

On July 12, 2019, Smith Centers for Foot & Ankle Care (SCFAC), Chicago, Illinois, entered into a $37,688.76 settlement agreement with OIG. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that SCFAC employed an individual who was excluded from participating in any Federal health care program. OIG’s investigation revealed that the excluded individual, a medical assistant, provided items or services to SCFAC’s patients that were billed to Federal health care programs.

07-08-2019

0n July 8, 2019, in connection with the resolution of their False Claims Act liability, Damon Wade, Amy Wade, Unicare Ambulance, LLC (Unicare), and PA Paramedics LLC d/b/a Eastern Care Ambulance (PA Paramedics), Bensalem, Pennsylvania, agreed to be excluded from participation in all Federal health care programs under 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(b)(7). Damon Wade agreed to be excluded for a period of 10 years. Amy Wade, Unicare, and PA Paramedics agreed to be excluded for a period of 5 years. OIG alleged that Damon Wade, Amy Wade, Unicare, and PA Paramedics made repeated false statements to avoid overpayment debts to the Medicare program and to hide the fact that Damon Wade’s state paramedic license had previously been suspended because he had admitted to forging a physician’s signature. Senior Counsel Gregory Wellins represented OIG.

06-28-2019

On June 28, 2019, Fayette County Hospital (FCH), Vandalia, Illinois, entered into a $125,407.58 settlement agreement with OIG. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that FCH employed an individual who was excluded from participating in any Federal health care program. OIG’s investigation revealed that the excluded individual, a nurse, provided items or services to FCH’s patients that were billed to Federal health care programs. Associate Counsel James Hansen represented OIG.

06-24-2019

After it self-disclosed conduct to OIG, Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc. d/b/a UF Health Shands (Shands), Florida, agreed to pay $16,483.10 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law. OIG alleged that Shands employed an individual that it knew or should have known was excluded from participation in Federal health care programs.

06-07-2019

After it self-disclosed conduct to OIG, LifeSkills, Inc. (LifeSkills), Kentucky, agreed to pay $36,868.59 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law. OIG alleged that LifeSkills employed an individual that it knew or should have known was excluded from participation in Federal health care programs.

06-06-2019

After it self-disclosed conduct to OIG, Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB), Vermont, agreed to pay $26,061.75 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law. OIG alleged that CHCB employed an individual that it knew or should have known was excluded from participation in Federal health care programs.

05-28-2019

On May 28, 2019, in connection with the resolution of his False Claims Act liability, William Blake Rodgers, M.D., Jefferson City, Missouri, agreed to be excluded from participation in all Federal health care programs for a period of four years under 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(b)(7). OIG alleged that Dr. Rodgers, a spine surgeon, submitted and caused submission of claims to Federal health care programs for surgical procedures not rendered and for neurophysiological monitoring services that were not properly performed. Senior Counsel David Fuchs represented OIG.

On May 28, 2019, Ryan D. Pensyl, DMD (Dr. Pensyl), Cumberland, Maryland, entered into a $10,941.60 settlement agreement with OIG. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that Dr. Pensyl employed an individual who was excluded from participating in any Federal health care program. OIG’s investigation revealed that the excluded individual, a dentist, provided items or services that were billed to Federal health care programs. OIG’s Office of Investigations and Office of Counsel to the Inspector General, represented by Senior Counsels Katie Fink and Jennifer Leonardis, collaborated to achieve this settlement.

05-20-2019

On May 20, 2019 Jackson-Madison County General Hospital District d/b/a West Tennessee Healthcare (WTH), Jackson, Tennessee, entered into a $102,714 settlement agreement with OIG. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that a subsidiary that WTH acquired, Tennova Regional Hospital (TRH), employed an individual who was excluded from participating in any Federal health care program. OIG’s investigation revealed that the excluded individual, a registered nurse, provided items or services to TRH’s patients that were billed to Federal health care programs. Senior Counsel Kenneth Kraft represented OIG with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Jennifer Hilton.

05-07-2019

On May 7, 2019, in connection with the resolution of his False Claims Act liability, Joseph P. Galichia, M.D. (Dr. Galichia), Kansas, agreed to be excluded from participation in all Federal health care programs for a period of three years under 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(b)(6)(B). OIG alleged that Dr. Galichia submitted claims to Federal health care programs for surgical procedures he performed implanting coronary arterial stents that were not medically necessary. Senior Counsel David Fuchs represented OIG.