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California Skilled Nursing Facilities Owner Faces Kickbacks Charges
A California-based skilled nursing facilities owner has agreed to pay $45.6 million to settle allegations of kickbacks to physicians for patient referrals, the Grimy Times has learned.
Prema Thekkek, owner of Paksn Inc. and six skilled nursing facilities, has agreed to enter into a consent judgment to resolve allegations that she and her companies submitted or caused the submission of false claims to Medicare by paying kickbacks to physicians to induce patient referrals.
The six settling skilled nursing facilities are Kayal Inc. (doing business as Bay Point Healthcare Center), Nadhi Inc. (doing business as Gateway Care & Rehabilitation Center), Oakrheem Inc. (doing business as Hayward Convalescent Hospital), Bayview Care Inc. (doing business as Hilltop Care and Rehabilitation Center), Aakash Inc. (doing business as Park Central Care & Rehabilitation Center), and Nasaky Inc. (doing business as Yuba Skilled Nursing Center).
The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering or paying remuneration to induce the referral of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other federally funded health care programs.
From 2009 to 2021, Thekkek and her companies systematically entered into medical directorship agreements with physicians that purported to provide compensation for administrative services, but in reality were vehicles for the payment of kickbacks to induce the physicians to refer patients to the six skilled nursing facilities.
“Kickbacks can impair the independence of physician decision-making and waste taxpayer dollars,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton. “The department is committed to preventing illegal financial relationships that undermine the integrity of our public health care programs.”
Defendant: Prema Thekkek
Criminal Charges: Paying kickbacks to physicians to induce patient referrals
City and State: California
Exact Date: Not specified
Sentence or Outcome: $45.6 million consent judgment to settle allegations
Dollar Amount: $45.6 million
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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