Clear Vue Eye Center, False Claims Act Violations, Florida 2024

Clear Vue Eye Center, a prominent eye care provider in Florida, and its owner, Dr. Monique Barbour, have agreed to pay a staggering $1 million to settle allegations of Medicare fraud. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, the eye center and Dr. Barbour engaged in a scheme to overbill Medicare for patient visits at nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

The investigation, led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), uncovered a pattern of fraudulent behavior by Dr. Barbour, including billing for procedures that were medically unnecessary and billing for work supposedly performed while she was physically out of the country.

Records reviews revealed that Dr. Barbour had billed excessively for patient visits, often for more than 12 hours a day and sometimes for over 20 hours in a 24-hour period. The investigation also showed that Dr. Barbour had billed procedures at the most profitable rates, regardless of the procedure’s proper billing code.

Lori Moore, a former employee of Clear Vue, brought the allegations under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Moore will receive $200,000 as part of the settlement. The U.S. Attorney’s Office commended the investigative efforts of HHS-OIG, which handled the investigation and settlement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Franklin Monsour handled the case. The settlement resolves the allegations in the lawsuit, United States and State of Florida ex rel. Moore v. Clear Vue Eye Center, Inc. and Dr. Monique Barbour, Case No. 14-81099 CIV (S.D. Fla.). The claims settled by the lawsuit are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

The case highlights the importance of vigilance in detecting and preventing Medicare fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to investigating and resolving claims of Medicare fraud brought under the False Claims Act.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

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