Three physicians — Abbesalom Ghermay, MD, of Plano, Texas, James Cook, MD, of Richmond, Va., and Daniel Theesfeld, MD, of Longview, Texas — have agreed to pay a total of $534,594 to resolve allegations that entered financial arrangements that influenced referrals for laboratory testing, according to a Jan. 7 news release from the Justice Department.
- Dr. Ghermay agreed to pay $228,482 to resolve allegations that, between January 2016 and November 2018, he received payments from a purported management services organization in return for ordering tests from a laboratory in Houston.
- Dr. Cook and his medical practice, Family Medical Centers, agreed to pay $206,987 to settle allegations that, between February 2019 and February 2021, he received payments disguised as investment returns from a marketing company in return for ordering tests from two laboratories in New Jersey and Virginia.
- Dr. Theesfeld and his medical practice, H8 Pain Management Center of Texas, agreed to pay $99,125 to resolve allegations that, between April 2017 and September 2018, he received payments in return for ordering tests from a laboratory in Houston.
According to the release, two laboratory marketers — Shahram Naghshbandi, of Fort Worth, Texas, and John Bello, of Chesterfield, Va. — were also involved with the scheme.
Mr. Naghshbandi agreed to pay $400,000 to settle allegations of participating in kickback schemes for laboratory referrals. Mr. Bello and his company, RiteRx4U, agreed to pay $140,000 to resolve allegations of paying Dr. Cook kickbacks.
At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.
