Two doctors and their medical practice have agreed to pay $1 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by allegedly performing and billing for medically unnecessary procedures on Medicare and Medicaid patients. According to the contentions of the United States contained in the settlement agreement: From Jan. 1, 2013, to Aug. 31, 2022, Drs. Fadi El-Atat and Sarah Abdul-Sater and their medical practice, FA CV Consultants P.C., violated the False Claims Act by knowingly seeking reimbursement for medically unnecessary balance tests, pulmonary function tests, allergy tests, autonomic nervous tests, and cardiology ultrasound tests that were performed on Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The allegations were originally made in a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act brought by Jennifer Jean. The act permits private parties to sue for false claims on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Jean will receive approximately $180,000 from the proceeds of the settlement.
