Joshua Thompson and Option 1 Genetics Agreed to Be Excluded for 15 Years for Allegedly Receiving Remuneration in Exchange for Genetic Tests Samples

On September 24, 2019, Joshua Thompson (Thompson) and Orbit Marketing d/b/a Option 1 Genetics (Option 1), Michigan, agreed to be excluded under 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7(b)(7) for 15 years. The investigation revealed and OIG alleged that Option 1 and Thompson solicited and received remuneration in the form of payments related to the collection of cheek swab samples from Medicare beneficiaries in Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, and Tennessee. Specifically, Option 1 and Thompson, through their specimen collectors, collected the cheek swab samples from Medicare beneficiaries for the purpose of selling them to two marketing entities and a laboratory company to perform genetic testing, and the Medicare program paid for the genetic testing. Senior Counsel Katie Fink represented OIG.

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