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North Carolina Physician and Practice Settle Case Involving False Claims, Kickback, and Stark Allegations

On December 4, 2017, Dr. Josette Maria (Dr. Maria) and Maria Medical Center (collectively, “MMC”), with offices in Dunn and Spring Lake, North Carolina, entered into a $60,000 settlement agreement with OIG. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that MMC: (1) billed for services provided “incident to” Dr. Maria’s supervision despite her absence from the office suite; (2) routinely billed for services provided by unlicensed individuals; and (3) received remuneration from laboratory companies in the form of “process and handling” payments in exchange for referring patients for laboratory testing services, which were paid by Medicare. Deputy Branch Chief Tamara Forys and Senior Counsel Jennifer Leonardis represented OIG.

Action Details

  • Date:December 4, 2017
  • Enforcement Types:
    • CMP and Affirmative Exclusions