Maryland provider settles unnecessary stenting case for $1.8M
The Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in Salisbury, Md., will shell out $1.8 million to settle allegations that the center failed to take action even after it received several complaints that former PRMC cardiologist John R. McLean was implanting unnecessary stents in patients.
Under the settlement, the hospital agreed to repay monies it received from federal health programs—Medicare and Medicaid—between April 24, 2003, and Dec. 4, 2006, for the unnecessary stenting procedures performed by McLean.
Last month, a federal jury in Baltimore convicted McLean of six healthcare fraud offensives. PRMC was sued by patients on 13 charges of negligence. McLean now faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for healthcare fraud and five years in prison on each of the five counts of making false statements.
This case joins others, like the case against cardiologist Mark G. Midei, MD, who practiced at the St. Joseph Medical Center in Townson, Md., and was charged with inappropriately stenting patients. The case was settled for $22 million.
Additionally under the settlement, the hospital has entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), to ensure accurate billing of all medical procedures, according to the Department of Justice. Under the agreement, PRMC will also be required to appoint physician executives who will oversee medical staff and ensure quality of care.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Nicholas DiGiulio of the Office of Investigations and the OIG announced the settlement agreement, released Aug. 10.
Under the settlement, the hospital agreed to repay monies it received from federal health programs—Medicare and Medicaid—between April 24, 2003, and Dec. 4, 2006, for the unnecessary stenting procedures performed by McLean.
Last month, a federal jury in Baltimore convicted McLean of six healthcare fraud offensives. PRMC was sued by patients on 13 charges of negligence. McLean now faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for healthcare fraud and five years in prison on each of the five counts of making false statements.
This case joins others, like the case against cardiologist Mark G. Midei, MD, who practiced at the St. Joseph Medical Center in Townson, Md., and was charged with inappropriately stenting patients. The case was settled for $22 million.
Additionally under the settlement, the hospital has entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), to ensure accurate billing of all medical procedures, according to the Department of Justice. Under the agreement, PRMC will also be required to appoint physician executives who will oversee medical staff and ensure quality of care.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Nicholas DiGiulio of the Office of Investigations and the OIG announced the settlement agreement, released Aug. 10.