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.”