Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Connecticut Firm Settles Billing Claims

Connecticut-based Dianon Systems, Inc, a testing laboratory, has paid $1.5 million to settle federal claims that it charged Medicare for unnecessary tests.

The lawsuit was brought by realtor James Tiesinga, a pathologist who was formerly employed by Dianon.  As part of the qui tam suit, Tiesinga will receive $300,000 of the proceeds of the settlement.

Click here to read more about Dianon System Inc. Settles False Medicare Billing Suit.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Cargo Firm Admits Overbilling for Military Shipments

National Air Cargo, a freight shipping contractor for the military, has admitted they overbilled the government $4.4 million from 1999 to 2005 by charging air rates for ground deliveries and claiming that the deliveries were made sooner than they actually were.  They have agreed to pay $28 million to fines and restitution.

The whistleblower who brought forward the allegations will receive $7.3 million.

Click here to read Carolyn Thompson’s article in Newsday about National Air Cargo’s Guilty Plea in Qui Tam Suit.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

ConocoPhillips subsidiary fined $500,000 for oil spill

A subsidiary of ConocoPhillips was ordered to pay $500,000 for not disclosing a 2004 oil spill, and the judge gave half of that to the whistleblower who informed the Coast Guard.

The Polar Discovery, a ship in the fleet of Polar Tankers, Inc., accidentally caused a discharge of oily sludge overboard and into the ocean on January 16, 2004.  The crew hid evidence of the discharge and did not record the accident in the ship’s Oil Record book.

Four months later, a crew member reported the incident to the Coast Guard.

In addition to the $500,000 fine, Polar Tankers, Inc. was ordered to pay $2 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation as a community service. 

Click here to read the Associated Press article about ConocoPhillips subsidiary fined $500,000 for oil spill.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Florida Medical Company Owner Convicted of Medicare Fraud

A Miami jury has convicted the owner and operator of Direct Nursing Assistance Inc. of Medicare fraud.  Rodolfo Aenlle was found guilty on all counts of conspiracy, fraud, taking kickbacks and related charges.

Aenlle owned and operated Direct Nursing Assistance Inc. from October 2001 through June 2006.  While he was president of the company, the company submitted $1 million in claims to Medicare.  Evidence presented at the trial established that Aenlle had prescription pads that he used where he would forge the names and signatures of physicians.  Additionally, it was presented that Aenlle had 130 paid patients who received services and drugs that they did not need. 

Click here to read the Department of Justice press release about Miami Jury Convicts Medical Company Owner of Medicare Fraud.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Boston Clinical Laboratories, Inc. Allegedly Filed False Medicaid Claims

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has filed charges against Boston Clinical Laboratories, Inc., alleging that the company intentionally filed improper claims for urine drug screens and received unjust reimbursements from the state.

The state claims that many, if not all, of the lab’s 66,000 Medicaid claims made since January 2000 were not properly ordered by an authorized prescriber or were for nonmedical purposes, such as residential sobriety monitoring.  Such cases are not eligible for Medicaid coverage.

A spokesman for Boston Clinical Laboratories issued a statement denying the charges.

Click here to read the article by Nicole Haley in the Daily News Tribune about State says lab filed thousands of false Medicaid claims.

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