A look at the settlements whistleblowers landed in four cases involving ASCs and physician practices in the last two years:
1. Scott Thompson, a former Deerfield, Ill.-based Surgical Care Affiliates employee, filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the company and its affiliate, Orlando Center for Outpatient Surgery, alleging billing fraud for lithotripsy. The allegations were settled June 28, and the parties paid $3.4 million, of which Mr. Thompson received $748,000. The estate of the urologist named in the suit entered into a separate settlement in January for $1.75 million, of which Mr. Thompson received $385,000.
2. Steven Pringle, a former sales operation employee of Mubashar Choudry, MD, and his three practices, filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging the cardiologist paid kickbacks to referring physicians for ankle-brachial index testing from 2013 to 2016. In April, the case was settled for $750,000 and Mr. Pringle received $121,500.
3. Atul Jain, MD, a former partner of San Diego Retinal Associates, filed a whistleblower lawsuit against his two partners alleging the ophthalmologists billed Medicare for services provided by an uncredentialed physician. The case was settled in January 2020 for $950,000, and Dr. Jain received $170,778.18.
4. Jeffrey Neuberger, former CEO of Mid Dakota Clinic in Bismarck, N.D., filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the clinic in 2017, alleging an improper financial arrangement with its ASC. He alleged the clinic’s physicians influenced ASC referrals. The clinic settled allegations for $4.15 million in November 2019, and Mr. Neuberger received 25 percent of the recovery, around $1.1 million, plus $1.3 million in attorney’s fees.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.