Cardiologist agrees to pay $5M for overstating heart findings to justify unnecessary procedures
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that a North Carolina cardiologist and his practice, Carolina Heart and Leg Center, agreed to pay $5.02 million to the United States and North Carolina to resolve allegedly fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims.
Hari Saini, MD, allegedly performed unnecessary atherectomy procedures to treat “minor plaque blockages” in the leg arteries of multiple patients while working at Carolina Heart and Lung Center. Saini and the practice are also accused of overstating aortic stenosis findings to justify performing numerous “risky and invasive” procedures “in blatant disregard for patient safety and program billing requirements.” These procedures earned the providers millions of dollars from both Medicare and Medicaid.
The accusations came from a whistleblower. Carolina Cape Fear Medical Group was also named in a complaint filed by the U.S. government. The case has been ongoing for six years now.
“This civil fraud settlement demonstrates our steadfast commitment to protect taxpayer money and guard the integrity of our vital healthcare programs,” U.S. Attorney Michael Easley said in a prepared statement from the DOJ. “Medical doctors should never bill for unnecessary procedures. Those who do will be held accountable. Our office will zealously pursue damages and civil penalties against medical professionals where warranted.”
“Physicians cannot perform procedures on patients who don't need them just to make more money,” North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said in the same statement. “That’s a waste of taxpayer resources and a fundamental abuse of the trust we put in doctors. My office will hold accountable healthcare providers when they commit fraud for their own enrichment.”
The DOJ statement emphasized that Saini and his practice remain adamant that they did not commit fraud. This settlement does not represent a judicial determination or admission of liability.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.