Related Federal Cases
- Timothy Bowman, Gun Safety Law Violations, Minnesota 2023 · Louisiana
- Christine Rahl, Healthcare Fraud and Money Laundering, Georgia 2014 · Georgia
- Devasko Dewayne Lewis, False Statements and Conspiracy, Georgia 2013 · Georgia
- Daniqua Clark, Mail Stream Theft and COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Georgia 2023 · Georgia
- SouthernCare Inc, Hospice Fraudulent Claims, Birmingham AL, 2023 · Florida
Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Georgia Hospital System, and Physician to Pay $35 Million to Settle Alleged False Claims Act and Stark Law Violations
Columbus Regional Healthcare System (Columbus Regional) and Dr. Andrew Pippas have agreed to pay more than $25 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims in violation of the Stark Law.
The settlement also resolves allegations that Columbus Regional and Pippas submitted claims for payment to federal health care programs that misrepresented the level of services they provided. Under the settlement agreement, Columbus Regional has agreed to pay $25 million, plus additional contingent payments not to exceed $10 million, for a maximum settlement amount of $35 million, and Pippas has agreed to pay $425,000.
“Today’s settlement demonstrates our continuing vigilance to ensure that health care referrals are based solely on the medical needs of the patient and that health care providers bill the government only for the care they provided,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer.
The Stark Law prohibits physician referrals of certain health services for Medicare and Medicaid patients if the physician has a financial relationship with the entity to which he or she refers the patient. The United States alleged that between 2003 and 2013, Columbus Regional provided excessive salary and directorship payments to Pippas that violated the Stark Law.
Of the $25.425 million that Columbus Regional and Pippas have agreed to pay to resolve their respective civil claims, they will pay $24,666,040 to the federal government for federal healthcare program losses and $758,960 to the state of Georgia for the state share of its Medicaid losses.
Columbus Regional will enter into a Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) that requires Columbus Regional to implement measures designed to avoid or promptly detect future conduct similar to that which gave rise to this settlement.
The settlements resolve allegations filed in two lawsuits by Richard Barker, a former Columbus Regional executive, in federal court in Columbus, Georgia.
Columbus Regional Healthcare System, a Georgia hospital system, and Dr. Andrew Pippas have committed the crime of False Claims Act and Stark Law Violations in Georgia 2024. The maximum settlement amount is $35 million, with Columbus Regional paying $25 million plus additional contingent payments not to exceed $10 million, and Pippas paying $425,000. Columbus Regional will also enter into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General.
Defendant: Columbus Regional Healthcare System and Dr. Andrew Pippas
Exact Crime Date: Not specified, but the alleged violations occurred between 2003 and 2013.
Sentence or Outcome: Columbus Regional and Pippas have agreed to pay $35 million to settle the allegations.
City and State: Columbus, Georgia
Exact Date: Not specified, but the settlement was announced in 2024.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Healthcare Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News