DALLAS — A Dallas-area medical clinic has agreed to pay $7.5 million to resolve allegations it submitted fraudulent claims to the federal government for COVID-19 testing services performed on uninsured patients during the pandemic, officials announced Wednesday.
United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced Wednesday that Aymancare PLLC, which operated “pop-up” testing sites, allegedly advertised “free” COVID-19 testing that was actually funded through a federal program for uninsured individuals.1
Aggressively investigating and pursuing healthcare fraud is a top priority for my office,” said Raybould. “We will use all available tools, including through civil enforcement mechanisms like the False Claims Act, to identify and recover any healthcare dollars lost to fraud, waste or abuse—the American taxpayer deserves no less.”
Fact Checklist:
- Who: Aymancare PLLC, a Dallas-area medical clinic
- What: Agreed to pay $7.5 million to resolve fraud allegations
- Where: Northern District of Texas
- When: Settlement announced today
- Why: Allegedly overbilled federal government for COVID-19 testing services
- How: Billed for separate medical services that were never performed
According to allegations, Aymancare submitted claims for specimen collection and testing services, as well as separate “evaluation and management services” (E&M) as if patients had been seen by a medical provider for a distinct visit or treatment. The government contends no such separate services were performed, as testing encounters only involved technicians administering nasal swabs.2
The COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing, Treatment, and Vaccine Administration for the Uninsured Program was administered by the Health Resources and Service Administration.3