An Indian-American physician will pay $400,000 to resolve allegations that he and his clinics violated federal laws by billing a government insurance programme for vein injections and physician office visits performed by unqualified personnel.
Florida-based Ravi Sharma agreed to pay the amount to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act, the Justice Department announced on Tuesday.
As part of the settlement, Sharma entered into a three- year integrity agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. The agreement requires Sharma to attend training courses provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and provides for an independent external review of his federal health care programme coding and billing procedures.
‘Vein injections and other invasive procedures should be performed by appropriately qualified personnel,’ said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division Stuart Delery.
‘We will not tolerate those who put patients’ health at risk for their personal gain and convenience.’
Between 2009 and 2010, Sharma owned and operated clinics, including a weight loss facility, in the Tampa area.
Florida-based Ravi Sharma agreed to pay the amount to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act, the Justice Department announced on Tuesday.
As part of the settlement, Sharma entered into a three- year integrity agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. The agreement requires Sharma to attend training courses provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and provides for an independent external review of his federal health care programme coding and billing procedures.
‘Vein injections and other invasive procedures should be performed by appropriately qualified personnel,’ said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division Stuart Delery.
‘We will not tolerate those who put patients’ health at risk for their personal gain and convenience.’
Between 2009 and 2010, Sharma owned and operated clinics, including a weight loss facility, in the Tampa area.