BRUNSWICK, Ga. -- An open MRI facility in Brunswick is among several who've been ordered to pay more than $1.2 million for false medicare claims.
The Department of Justice today announced a settlement with Diagnostic Systems, Inc., Open MRI of Savannah; Southeast Georgia Open MRI d/b/a Open MRI at Fountain Lake; and Open MRI of Douglas.
The agencies must pay $1,273,126 to settle accusations that they submitted false claims to Medicare, Georgia Medicaid, TRICARE, and the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program.
The government claims that between January 2007 and October 2011, Open MRI facilities performed hundreds of MRI procedures using contrast but without any physician supervision.
"Health-care providers cannot put profits above patient safety," said U.S. Attorney Edward J. Tarver. "Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs operate on the honesty of their providers, and this office will actively pursue those who misuse the programs for financial gain."
