ATLANTA - Emory University will pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations of false billings to Medicare and Medicaid, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
The university billed for medical care and services that were supposed to be paid by the trial sponsor, according to the release from U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. In some cases, Emory was paid twice for the same care and services, Yates said in the release.
"This settlement demonstrates our office's continued commitment to protect crucial Medicare and Medicaid dollars," Yates said. "Treatment of cancer is expensive, and Medicare and Medicaid dollars should be reserved for patients who need services that properly may be billed to these programs."
The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by Elizabeth Elliot, described in the release as a whistle-blower, under the federal False Claims Act. Elliot will receive a shared of the settlement payment.