May 16, 2006
Lincare, a maker of home oxygen and other respiratory equipment, will pay $10 million to settle charges that it illegally paid doctors to recommend the company to patients.
Doctors were given tickets to sports events, taken on fishing trips and golf outings, given office equipment, and given kickbacks disguised as consulting fees.
The agreement was the result of an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General of the Dept. of Health and Human Services.
Lincare’s press release said that it had also settled other government investigations, but a Justice Department spokesman disputed that.
The New York Times reported on the settlement in its May 16, 2006 issue (subscription required).