Radiation clinic reaches $3.8 million settlement
A DeKalb County radiation practice and its affiliates have agreed to pay a $3.8 million settlement to resolve a false claims investigation, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Tuesday.
Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia had been accused of over-billing Medicare for treatments provided to prostate cancer patients and billing for unnecessary services. The settlement resolves claims filed by two whistle-blowers who once worked for the company -- a doctor, Rebecca Tarlton, and a physicist, Jeffrey Wertz.
"This settlement demonstrates our office's continued commitment to stop Medicare fraud," U.S. Attorney Sally Yates said.
Anthony Cochran, a lawyer for the clinic, said the company's physicians cooperated fully during the investigation and denied any wrongdoing. He noted there had been no determination of liability on Radiotherapy Clinics' behalf.
Ray Moss, a lawyer who represents Tarlton, said the doctor was pleased with the agreement. Moss also praised the Justice Department and the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services for aggressively investigating allegations of Medicare fraud.
About the Author
Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.
