Marion County Medical Center in Marion County, S.C. will pay $3.75 million to the federal government to resolve charges that it submitted false claims to government health care programs. The allegations involved payments made by Marion to two physicians which the government contended exceeded the fair market value of their services and violated the Stark Law and the Anti-Kickback Statute. the settlement also resolves allegations of upcoding.
against the potential for fraud and abuse posed by such prohibited relationships.”
The suit was the result of a whistle-blower action brought by a former Marion employee.
Under the False Claims Act, private individuals can bring whistleblower actions for fraud on behalf of the United States and collect a share of any proceeds recovered by the suit as well as attorney fees.
U.S. Newswire published a press release on July 18, 2006.