Sam Brusco, Associate Editor07.13.22
The United States filed a complaint in Brooklyn Federal Court alleging that Fresenius Vascular Care performed unnecessary procedures on dialysis patients at nine centers across NYC, Long Island, and Westchester, and billed the procedures to Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Health Benefits Program, and TRICARE.
The filing seeks damages and penalties under the False Claims act.
“The conduct alleged in this case is egregious, as Fresenius not only defrauded federal healthcare programs but also subjected particularly vulnerable people to medically unnecessary procedures,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace, who announced the filing. “This Office will hold medical providers accountable for practices that needlessly expose patients to harm for financial gain at taxpayer expense.”
The complaint specifically alleges that from about January 1, 2012 through June 30, 2018 Fresenius routinely performed certain procedures on end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving dialysis without sufficient clinical indication the patients needed them.
These included fistulagrams, radiological procedures where dye is injected in the vein or artery to visualize the port and surrounding blood vessels, and angioplasties, where wires and balloons are inserted into veins or arteries narrowed to restore blood flow.
“The alleged conduct by Fresenius unnecessarily compromised patient care and undermined the financial integrity of federal health care programs,” stated HHS-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Scott Lampert. “Along with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG is committed to protecting beneficiaries and taxpayers from such abusive practices.”
The filing seeks damages and penalties under the False Claims act.
“The conduct alleged in this case is egregious, as Fresenius not only defrauded federal healthcare programs but also subjected particularly vulnerable people to medically unnecessary procedures,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace, who announced the filing. “This Office will hold medical providers accountable for practices that needlessly expose patients to harm for financial gain at taxpayer expense.”
The complaint specifically alleges that from about January 1, 2012 through June 30, 2018 Fresenius routinely performed certain procedures on end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving dialysis without sufficient clinical indication the patients needed them.
These included fistulagrams, radiological procedures where dye is injected in the vein or artery to visualize the port and surrounding blood vessels, and angioplasties, where wires and balloons are inserted into veins or arteries narrowed to restore blood flow.
“The alleged conduct by Fresenius unnecessarily compromised patient care and undermined the financial integrity of federal health care programs,” stated HHS-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Scott Lampert. “Along with our law enforcement partners, HHS-OIG is committed to protecting beneficiaries and taxpayers from such abusive practices.”