March 8, 2019 - Posts

Whistleblower Roundup – March 8, 2019

A look back at the week’s news and developments affecting whistleblowers.

 

Vanguard Healthcare Agrees to $18 Million False Claims Act Settlement

Tennessee-based Vanguard Healthcare has agreed to pay more than $18 million to resolve a federal lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice for fraudulently billing Medicare and Medicaid programs for “grossly substandard” nursing home services. In particular, Vanguard failed to administer medications as prescribed, and failed to provide adequate medical care for infections and wounds. The settlement also stipulates that Vanguard will enter into a corporate integrity agreement. Read more from The Tennessean here.

 

Skyline Urology Settles Medicare Overbilling Allegations for $1.85 Million

The Department of Justice announced that Skyline Urology has agreed to pay $1.85 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations related to submitting improper Medicare claims. From 2013 to 2017, Skyline allegedly submitted false evaluation and management services that were not allowable under Medicare. The lawsuit was filed by a whistleblower, James Cesare, and he will receive approximately $323,000 for his share in the recovery.

 

California Pharmacy Owner Sentenced to Prison for Health Care Fraud

A California pharmacy owner, Tamar Tatarian, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for her role in a Medicare fraud scheme involving more than $1.5 million in fraudulent claims for prescription drugs. Tatarian engaged in a scheme submitting claims for prescriptions drugs that the pharmacy never ordered, and therefore did not dispense to Medicare beneficiaries. Read the full Department of Justice press release here.

 

 

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