August 22, 2005
University MRI, a chain of medical imaging centers in Boca Raton, have been accused in a whistleblower lawsuit of defrauding Medicare. United States agents, investigating charges that the chain overbilled Medicare and illegally paid doctors to refer patients, searched the firm’s offices.
MRI and CT scans can cost up to $2500. A doctors’ association estimates that Medicare and insurers pay as much as $16 billion a year for unnecessary tests ordered by doctors who make money from them.
See the August 19, 2005 issue of the Sun-Sentinal for more details.