La Habra medical company to pay .3 million over allegations of kickbacks related to PET scans.
A medical imaging company based in La Habra, California, has reached a settlement of .3 million, alongside additional payments contingent on future revenue, to resolve allegations of federal law violations regarding the payment of excessive fees to cardiologists for supervising positron emission tomography (PET) scans. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this development on Friday, emphasizing the significance of maintaining ethical standards in healthcare practices.
The allegations against Modern Nuclear Inc. (MNI), a mobile PET scan service provider, stem from a period between September 2016 and January 2025, during which the company reportedly submitted fraudulent claims to federal healthcare programs. The DOJ maintains that MNI’s actions constituted a violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. It is alleged that the company paid cardiologists above-market rates to supervise PET scans for patients they referred, thereby compromising the integrity of the healthcare system.
According to the DOJ, MNI not only compensated referring cardiologists for their time spent in their offices caring for other patients but also for time when they were not present or for services that were either rarely or never rendered. The illegal kickback scheme is claimed to have resulted in increased healthcare costs and undermined patient trust, as medical decisions were influenced by financial incentives rather than genuine patient needs.
The company attempted to justify its fee structure through a consultancy that provided an opinion on fair market value. However, federal authorities contended that the assessment contained significant inaccuracies, leading the consultant to retract its opinion. In conjunction with the settlement, MNI has entered into a five-year corporate integrity agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. This agreement mandates that the company ensure compliance with the Anti-Kickback Statute in its arrangements with referring physicians and develop a robust compliance program to identify and mitigate risks associated with financial arrangements.
Federal officials reiterated their commitment to combating healthcare fraud, specifying that kickbacks compromise the Medicare program by obstructing impartial medical decision-making. The settlement not only serves to hold MNI accountable but also reflects broader efforts to safeguard federal healthcare resources intended for legitimate patient care.
Furthermore, the case underscores the concerted efforts among various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General, to protect healthcare programs from exploitation while ensuring that healthcare providers are held to the highest ethical standards. This resolution is viewed as a vital step in restoring integrity within the healthcare system while prioritizing patient health and safety.
Media News Source
