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Former South Carolina Hospital CEO Agrees to Voluntary Exclusion

On September 27, 2016, in connection with the resolution of False Claims Act and Stark Law liability, Ralph J. Cox, III, agreed to be excluded from participating in Federal health care programs for a period of four years under 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(b)(7). OIG's investigation revealed that during Cox's tenure as CEO and Board Member of the Board of Trustees of Tuomey Healthcare System, Inc. (Tuomey), in Sumter, South Carolina, he caused Tuomey to submit claims for payment to the Medicare and Medicaid Programs that were false because they violated the Stark Law. A jury had previously determined that Tuomey violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting to Medicare false claims for designated health services that had been referred to Tuomey in violation of the Stark Law. Deputy Branch Chief Kevin Barry represented OIG.

Action Details

  • Date:September 27, 2016
  • Enforcement Types:
    • CMP and Affirmative Exclusions