Health co. settles kickback scheme allegations involving convicted cancer Dr. Farid Fata for $200K
A national health care company with offices in Southfield this week settled a civil lawsuit alleging it paid kickbacks to convicted cancer doctor Farid Fata for referrals to its hospice programs, according to federal attorneys.
Vitas Health Corporation Midwest, and other entities related to it, agreed Tuesday, Nov. 29, in federal court to pay $200,000 and resolve allegations that the entity violated the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute by paying Farid Fata, of Oakland Township, for patient referrals.
Fata, 50, is the former owner of the Rochester-area practice Michigan Hematology and Oncology. He is serving a 45-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to 13 counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy and two counts of money laundering. The former oncologist admitted he made millions by ordering unneeded treatments for patients and billing Medicare and other insurers.
In one instance, Fata was accused of forcing a patient who fell and hit his head to undergo chemotherapy before receiving medical treatment for the head injury, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. The patient later died from the head injury.
Read more: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20161130/health-company-settles-kickback-scheme-allegations-involving-convicted-cancer-doctor-farid-fata-for-200k
