PHOENIX – Edward J. Quinn, M.D., a physician practicing in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., has agreed to pay the federal government $395,000 to resolve allegations that he violated the federal False Claims Act by submitting false bills to Medicare.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring that Medicare funds are paid out only for proper, legitimate claims,”said U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona Dennis K. Burke. “This resolution holds Dr. Quinn accountable for the consequences of his false billings and demonstrates our ongoing efforts to pursue violations of the False Claims Act and recover taxpayer dollars.”
The settlement agreement resolves allegations that Dr.Quinn falsely billed Medicare for Thoracic Electrical Bioimpedance (TEB) (also known as Biothoracic Impedance (BTI)) tests by representing that the patients receiving the tests met applicable Medicare coverage requirements when, in fact, the patients did not meet any of the requirements. In connection with the settlement, Dr. Quinn also entered into an integrity agreement with the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services. The integrity agreement contains measures to monitor and ensure compliance with Medicare regulations and policies in the future.
“High dollar civil settlements and strict corporate integrity agreements are two ways the OIG helps recover the millions of Medicare dollars lost when health care providers submit inappropriate claims,” said Glenn R. Ferry, Special Agent in Charge for the Los Angeles Region of the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue to penalize any provider who engages in this practice as part of our ongoing effort to protect and defend the Medicare program from future abuse.”
The case was handled by Lon R. Leavitt, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2010-221(Quinn)
