USAO NDWV Secures False Claims Act Settlement Relating to Use of Amniotic Fluid Injections for Pain Management

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - The Pain Center of Virginia, PLLC d/b/a the Pain Center of West Virginia ("The Pain Center of West Virginia"), a clinic located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, has agreed to pay $750,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting or causing the submission of false claims to Medicare for the use of amniotic fluid injections for pain management.

The Pain Center of West Virginia submitted claims to Medicare for treatment related to various orthopedic conditions and the pain associated with those conditions.  The United States alleged that at the time it submitted these claims, The Pain Center of West Virginia knew that Medicare did not cover the use of amniotic fluid injections for pain management.

Under the settlement, in addition to paying the United States $750,000, The Pain Center of West Virginia will enter into a three-year Integrity Agreement with the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.

The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Savino and Christopher Prezioso for the Northern District of West Virginia, in conjunction with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act.  Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.