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Date: 11-13-2020
Case Style:
Case Number: 1:17-cv-1742-MN.
Judge: Maryellen Noreika
Court: United States District Court for the District of Delaware (New Castle County)
Plaintiff's Attorney:
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Defendant's Attorney: No appearance
Description: Wilmington, Delaware false claims act lawyer represented Eranga Cardiology, P.A. and Dr. Eranga Haththotuwa who were accused with committing health care fraud arising under the False Claims Act. Eranga Cardiology is a cardiology practice with locations in Milford and Dover.
From April 2014 to March 2020, the practice submitted claims for reimbursement to Medicare and Medicaid that required both performance of cardiology procedures and the generation of corresponding interpretive reports. The United States alleged that the practice submitted and received payment for these claims without generating the required interpretive reports. The civil claims settled by this False Claims Act agreement are allegations only; there has been no admission of fault.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware is committed to combating health care fraud and protecting Medicare beneficiaries using all available remedies,” said U.S. Attorney Weiss. “When providers cut corners by failing to ensure that procedures are adequately documented, it cheats both the patients and the government.”
The settlement announced today resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act. The government’s claims are based on a whistleblower suit filed by a former employee of Eranga Cardiology. A whistleblower suit, or qui tam action under the False Claims Act, is commenced by an individual, known as a “relator,” filing a complaint under seal in the U.S. District Court, and providing a copy of the complaint and other evidence to the local U.S. Attorney. The United States then has an opportunity to investigate the claims. The False Claims Act provides the whistleblowers with a share of the government’s recovery.
The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Delaware Department of Justice.
“Providers should bill taxpayer-funded government health programs for services actually provided—no less and certainly never more,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue aggressively investigating schemes that undermine the integrity of these vital programs. Anyone suspecting Medicare or Medicaid fraud is urged to please contact our investigative hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).”
This matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shamoor Anis and Laura Hatcher.
Outcome: Defendants agree to pay $500,000 to settle the claims.
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Defendant's Experts:
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