South Carolina Physician and Nephrology Clinic Settle Laboratory Kickback Allegations for $585,000

HI INDIA NEWS DESK
ORANGEBURG, SC- Dr. Moustafa and his medical practice, South Carolina Nephrology and Hypertension Center Inc., will pay $585,540 to settle False Claims Act allegations. They were accused of receiving illegal kickbacks for referring patients for laboratory testing, violating the Anti-Kickback Statute. They’ve agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department’s investigations of others involved in the alleged kickback schemes.

The Anti-Kickback Statute aims to prevent financial incentives from influencing medical decisions and compromising public healthcare program integrity. Dr. Moustafa and his practice were alleged to have received kickbacks in the form of office rent, phlebotomy payments, clinical staff, consulting, and medical director payments.

These kickbacks came from various sources, including clinical laboratories in South Carolina and New Jersey and a marketing company named Ralston Health Group Inc. The settlement resolves allegations that these kickbacks led to the submission of false or fraudulent claims to Medicare and TRICARE.

The U.S. Attorneys for South Carolina and New Jersey emphasized that kickbacks have no place in healthcare and can raise costs for taxpayers and compromise healthcare program integrity. The investigation and settlement were carried out with the assistance of various federal agencies, including the FBI, HHS-OIG, and DCIS.

It’s important to note that the settlement doesn’t imply liability, and the claims remain allegations at this stage.