Ameritox, Ltd. pays $16.3 million to resolve kickback claims
Compliance Monitor, November 24, 2010
Ameritox, Ltd., a laboratory based in Midland, TX, agreed to pay the U.S. government $16.3 million to settle allegations that the company paid kickbacks to providers to induce Medicare referrals, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release.
Ameritox provides drug testing services that measure the quality and quantity of drugs in a patient’s system. Physicians use the information to identify patients who are not compliant with their medication regimen and patients who are at risk of diverting their medications.
According to the DOJ, Ameritox made cash payments to physician clients from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2006, to induce referrals for drug testing services. The settlement resolves claims that Ameritox offered free collector personnel to physicians from January 1, 2003, to June 30, 2010, in order to induce the referrals.
Debra Maul, a former Ameritox sales representative, filed the case under the qui tam provision of the False Claims Act. She will receive $3.4 million of the federal share of the settlement.
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