MASSACHUSETTS DOCTOR AND MEDICAL PRACTICE RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING MEDICALLY UNNECESSARY STRESS TESTS

MASSACHUSETTS DOCTOR AND MEDICAL PRACTICE RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING MEDICALLY UNNECESSARY STRESS TESTS

 

BOSTON –A Massachusetts cardiologist and his practice entered into an agreement with the United States yesterday to resolve allegations that they improperly billed Medicare for medically unnecessary stress tests.

 

Primary Care Specialists, Inc., and Terrence C. Hack, M.D. agreed to pay $24,000 to resolve the government’s claim that Dr. Hack and Primary Care Specialists improperly billed Medicare for medically unnecessary myocardial perfusion studies, also known as nuclear stress tests, in violation of the False Claims Act.  Performing these unnecessary stress tests results in patients’ needless exposure to radiation as well as wasting Medicare dollars.  Dr. Hack is a cardiologist licensed in Massachusetts, and Primary Care Specialists, Inc. is his Ayer, Mass. practice.  In agreeing to settle this claim, Dr. Hack has not admitted liability.

 

“We protect the integrity of Medicare by scrutinizing billing practices that burden the Medicare fund, such as when reimbursement is sought for medically unnecessary tests,” said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz.  “We take every opportunity to investigate, eliminate, and deter waste and fraud in this vital government program.”

 

This matter was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.  It was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sonya A. Rao and Rosemary Connolly, Chief of Ortiz’s Civil Division.