On Thursday, November 10, 2022, U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $2.6 million civil settlement with Kevin P. Greene, M.D. and Feel Well Health Center of Southington, P.C., to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Act by improperly billing federal and state healthcare programs, and that they received illegal kickbacks.
The government alleged that Greene and Feel Well Health Center violated the federal and state FCA by improperly billing federal and state Medicaid between April 2016 and January 2020. Greene and Feel Well Health Center allegedly submitted false claims for medical visits when, in fact, the patients received fitness-related services at a gym staffed by a coach and yoga instructor. Further, they allegedly submitted claims for services rendered by Greene when he was not physically present in the office, including claims during times when he was out of the country or on vacation. They also submitted improper claims for telemedicine services and claims for medically unnecessary testing or procedures.
The government also alleged that Greene and Feel Well Health Center violated the AKS by receiving remuneration from Boston Heart Diagnostics Corp. in return for ordering from the company clinical laboratory services for Medicaid patients.
Greene and Feel Well Health Center agreed to pay $2.6 million to settle the claims and to enter into a three year Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designed to ensure future compliance.
The allegations resolved by the settlement stemmed from an investigation based on a critical analysis of Medicare claims data rather than a whistleblower.
The attorneys at Chilivis Grubman represent healthcare providers of all types and sizes in connection with government investigations and False Claims Act litigation. If you need assistance with such a matter, please contact us today.