Heartwire reported on April 28, 2008 that the federal government is suing two cardiologists for their role in an alleged kickback scheme. The two are among 16 cardiologists who are alleged to have participated in a scam in which the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) gave them the titles of assistant professors and salaries in return for referrals. The “professors” did not perform any teaching, research, or patient-care duties.
The lawsuit claims the two are guilty of violating both the federal Stark statute, which prohibits referral of Medicare patients to a hospital with which a doctor has a financial relationship, and the False Claims Act, which allows triple damages for submission of claims that are false because of a prohibited financial relationship.