Florida firm settles lawsuit for $8.7 million

TAMPA — Rose Radiology Centers Inc. has agreed to pay $8.71 million to the government to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, a statement says.

According to the statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, Rose Radiology billed federal health care programs “for radiology procedures that were not medically necessary or furnished in violation of applicable Federal regulations.”

The allegations against Rose Radiology, according to the statement, include:
• Knowingly submitting false claims by administering contrast dye during MRI scans on patients without proper physician supervision
• Improperly billing for radiology procedures referred by chiropractors
• Performing and billing for radiology procedures that weren't ordered by the patients' treatment providers
• Giving kickbacks to referring physicians to obtain referrals

The allegations were brought about by two whistleblowers under the False Claims Act, the statement says. They each will receive a combined $1.7 million as their share of recovery in the case.

Rose Radiology is based out of Tampa and has 11 locations along the Gulf Coast.