A settlement has been reached to resolve False Claims Act allegations against Vascular Access Centers L.P.
The allegations arose from a lawsuit that claimed Vascular Access Centers L.P. along with its 23 subsidiary and related corporations (collectively “VAC”), violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicare for non-reimbursable vascular access procedures performed on End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) beneficiaries and engaging in an alleged kickback scheme related to referrals for such procedures.
According to the government, VAC billed Medicare for vascular access surgical procedures performed on ESRD beneficiaries, including fistulagrams and percutaneous transluminal angioplasties, without all of the required medical documentation supporting the necessity of the procedures. Furthermore, allegedly VAC submitted false claims to Medicare for services that resulted from referrals that VAC had induced through improper remuneration to physician investors and medical directors, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute.
“Medicare patients with End Stage Renal Disease, like other beneficiaries, are entitled to receive care in accordance with their clinical needs and not based on the financial interests of healthcare providers,” said Assistant Attorney General Joseph H. Hunt for the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “Entities and individuals that attempt to profit through improper financial incentives and thereby bypass independent clinical decision-making will be held accountable.”
Reportedly, VAC has agreed to pay a minimum of $3.825 million in a series of fixed payments over five years, and could pay up to a maximum of $18,360,794, if certain contingencies are triggered.
Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Vascular Access Centers L.P. provides dialysis access maintenance services in the United States.
The whistleblowers will collectively receive at least $612,000 as their share of the settlement.
