{"id":18768,"date":"2015-12-31T14:49:35","date_gmt":"2015-12-31T22:49:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=18768"},"modified":"2015-12-31T14:49:35","modified_gmt":"2015-12-31T22:49:35","slug":"18768-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=18768","title":{"rendered":"Medical Laboratory Pays $4 Million to Settle Allegations of Kickbacks to Doctors"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN DIEGO<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Pathway<\/a>A medical diagnostic laboratory agreed to pay $4 million to settle allegation that it paid kickbacks to physicians and physician groups in exchange for patient referrals, federal official announced Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pathway Genomics Corporation<\/strong> was accused of violating the False Claims Act.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pathway provides analysis of genetic testing kits for a variety of purposes within the field of clinical genomics, including tests that analyze the risk for certain genetic diseases and tests concerning the responsiveness of certain medications.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKickbacks to health care providers in exchange for patient referrals undermine the medical judgment of physicians and exploit the trust of patients,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy.<\/strong> \u201cKickback arrangements with physicians also place vital taxpayer funds at risk. As this settlement demonstrates, this office will continue to aggressively combat fraud against federal health care programs.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The case was brought to light by a whistleblower who filed a lawsuit in federal court under the the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Act permits private parties to sue, on behalf of the government, companies and individuals who have falsely claimed federal funds and to share in any recovery, officials said<\/span><\/p>\n

The whistleblower in this case, former Pathway employee Monique Gipson,<\/strong> will receive $686,225.<\/span><\/p>\n

The tests are performed on a patient\u2019s saliva sample, typically collected by a physician and mailed to Pathway\u2019s laboratory for analysis, officials said.<\/span><\/p>\n

To ensure that health care providers remain motivated solely by their patients\u2019 medical needs, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act prohibit offering, paying, soliciting or receiving money or items of value to induce referral of goods or services covered by federally funded health care programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The settlement resolves allegations that Pathway induced health care providers to refer Pathway genetic testing kits and services, and then received government reimbursement for those tests in violation of the law, according to officials.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the allegations, this is what happened:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n