Doctors Hospital Of Augusta And Radiation Oncology Practice Pay More Than $1 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Litigation

AUGUSTA, GA:  Doctors Hospital of Augusta, LLC, which is owned and operated by the for-profit hospital chain, HCA Inc., and Radiation Oncology Associates, LLP, of Augusta, Georgia, have agreed to pay the United States a total of $1,020,000 to settle allegations that they submitted or caused the submission of false claims to the Medicare and TRICARE programs for certain radiation oncology procedures that were allegedly performed without the requisite level of physician supervision.

The civil settlement resolves allegations that were originally part of a federal lawsuit unsealed on July 3, 2013.  The lawsuit was filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act.

The case was investigated by Special Agent Ryan S. Coble, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Investigations; Special Agent Randy J. Temples, Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Services; and Investigator Kimberly Reinken of the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Georgia.  The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Scott R. Grubman.

For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.