A settlement has been reached to resolve False Claims Act allegations against Bay Sleep Clinic and Related Entities.
The allegations arose from a lawsuit that claimed Bay Sleep Clinic, its related businesses, Qualium Corporation and Amerimed Corporation and their owners and operators, Anooshiravan Mostowfipour and Tara Nader fraudulently billed the Medicare program.
According to the Department of Justice, the companies fraudulently billed Medicare for sleep tests performed by technicians lacking the licenses or certifications required by Medicare payment rules. Additionally, the companies billed for sleep tests conducted at unapproved locations and falsified documents to indicate the tests took place at approved facilities. Furthermore, the lawsuit alleged the defendants violated a Medicare rule that prohibits sleep test providers from selling medical devices.
“Medicare patients expect to be treated by properly credentialed health care professionals in approved locations,” said U.S. Attorney Stretch. “When companies treating Medicare beneficiaries violate the rules, they will be held accountable.”
As part of the agreement, the companies and owners also agreed to terminate their enrollment in the Medicare program for three years.
The lawsuit was originally filed by a sleep technician, Elma Dresser, who alleged the companies, engaged in fraudulent Medicare billing.
The whistleblowers' share of the settlement will be $545,000.
