Media On Record Stark Settlement

Major Florida Hospital System Agrees To Record $70 Million Medicare Settlement

Resolves Whistleblower Suit on Physician-Compensation Violations

One of the nation’s largest public hospital systems, South Florida’s Broward Health, has agreed to pay $69.5 million plus interest to settle allegations that it violated Medicare billing laws that ban paying physicians for referrals. The agreement is the largest settlement without litigation ever reached under the law prohibiting physician compensation that presents a financial conflict of interest.

Whistle-Blower Worries: Hospitals Likely To See More False Claims Suits Tied To Doctor Compensation

Modern Healthcare | November 21, 2015 | By Lisa Schencker

Dr. Michael Reilly's lawyer gave his client strong advice after reviewing a lucrative employment contract that the North Broward Hospital District offered him 15 years ago.

North Broward Hospital District To Pay Government $69.5 Million

Local10.com | September 15, 2015 | By Amanda Batchelor

Hospital district accused of paying physicians for patient referrals

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – The North Broward Hospital District has agreed to pay the government $69.5 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by engaging in improper financial relationships with referring physicians, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

Florida Hospital District Agrees To Pay United States $69.5 Million To Settle False Claims Act Allegations

United States Department of Justice | September 15, 2015

North Broward Hospital District, a special taxing district of the state of Florida that operates hospitals and other health care facilities in the Broward County, Florida, area, has agreed to pay the United States $69.5 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by engaging in improper financial relationships with referring physicians, the Justice Department announced today.

Broward Health Pays Nearly $70 Million To Settle Fraud Case; Whistleblower Named

Miami Herald | September 15, 2015 | By Daniel Chang

Federal officials Tuesday revealed the identity of a Fort Lauderdale orthopedic surgeon who blew the whistle on illegal physician kickbacks, complicit hospital administrators and negligent financial oversight at taxpayer-supported Broward Health, leading the public hospital system to pay nearly $70 million to settle charges of healthcare fraud.

Broward Health To Pay $69.5 Million To Settle False Claims Charge

Corporate Crime Reporter | September 15, 2015

One of the nation’s largest public hospital systems, South Florida’s Broward Health, will pay $69.5 million to settle allegations that it violated Medicare billing laws that ban paying physicians for referrals.

Florida Hospital District To Pay $69.5 Million To Settle Lawsuit

The New York Times | September 15, 2015 | By The Associated Press

The Justice Department has reached a $69.5 million settlement with the North Broward Hospital District in South Florida, which was accused in a lawsuit of having improper financial relationships with doctors who referred patients to the district. Federal officials said on Tuesday that the case involved inflated salaries paid to nine physicians by the hospital district, which operates several health facilities. Federal law restricts the financial relationships hospitals can have with referring doctors under Medicare and Medicaid. The lawsuit was originally filed under the False Claims Act by Dr. Michael Reilly, who was joined by the Justice Department. That law allows private citizens to sue on behalf of the government and receive a part of the settlement. Dr. Reilly will get more than $12 million. The settlement does not include an admission of liability by the hospital district.