An Atlanta urology practice will pay $14 million to resolve allegations that it performed unnecessary procedures and billed for services that were never done.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia says Dr. Jitesh Patel and Advanced Urology Inc. agreed to the settlement to resolve claims they violated federal and state laws, including the False Claims Act.
Two whistleblowers, a former employee and a former physician, filed lawsuits raising concerns about the practice's billing and treatment patterns. Among the allegations: patients were implanted with sacral nerve stimulators without proper evaluation, numerous cystoscopy procedures were performed unnecessarily, and electromyography tests were conducted on nearly every new patient despite being rarely used in urology.
The settlement serves as a reminder for patients to ask questions about recommended procedures, especially when they seem routine or are ordered before a thorough evaluation.
