NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Premier Medical Group, P.C., a multi-physician practice based in Clarksville, has agreed to pay $2.8 million to resolve claims that it improperly billed Medicare and TRICARE, U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee announced.
The federal government said the practice violated the False Claims Act by billing for services that non-physician practitioners performed. According to the settlement, Premier submitted those claims using physicians’ National Provider Identifier numbers from November 1, 2018, through May 31, 2023.
Under the settlement agreement, Premier will pay the $2.8 million to the United States. The claims resolved in the deal are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Officials weigh in
Boucek said the case goes to the integrity of federal health programs.
“Federal health care programs depend on providers following the rules and billing taxpayers accurately,” said United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek. “When providers submit improper claims, they undermine the integrity of programs that millions of Americans, including our service members and veterans, rely on for essential care. Our office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect these programs and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent as intended.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge Nakia M. Alexander of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office, also commented. DCIS is part of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General.
“Holding fraudulent providers accountable is essential to safeguarding TRICARE, our military’s primary health care program,” Alexander said. “By aggressively combating health care fraud, we ensure critical resources remain dedicated to the care our service members, retirees, and their families deserve. This settlement reinforces this hallmark standard, and those who seek to exploit our health care systems and beneficiaries will be investigated and pursued.”
Investigation
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, which is based in Nashville, conducted the investigation with help from DCIS. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wynn M. Shuford represented the United States.
