According to a DoJ press release, Biotronik, Inc. (Biotronik) has agreed to pay $4.9 million to resolve allegations that it paid illegal kickbacks to physicians.  Specifically, the United States alleges that Biotronik induced physicians in Nevada and Arizona to use Biotronik devices, including pacemakers, by providing the physicians with regular high-priced meals and extravagant payments for membership on a physician advisory board.  The United States alleges that these kickbacks caused hospitals and surgery centers to submit false claims for Biotronik devices to Medicare and Medicaid.

“Today’s resolution of claims underscores one of the key purposes of the Anti-Kickback law – to ensure that the judgment exercised by health care providers in treating Medicare and Medicaid patients is not influenced by illegal payments,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner for the Eastern District of California.

The lawsuit was originally filed in 2009 by former employee, Brian Sant, and his attorney Mycal Wilson under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act.  Sant will receive $840,000 for his part in bringing the lawsuit.

To report healthcare fraud, please contact Frohsin & Barger.