Asante and Physician Settle Allegations of Submitting False Claims

Medford, Oregon- In a recent development, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon has disclosed that Asante Health System, along with one of its physicians, Dr. Charles Carmeci, has agreed to a settlement of $430,000. The settlement resolves allegations that both the company and the physician knowingly submitted false claims for payment related to specific cardiothoracic surgeries to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE.

Between January 1, 2015, and January 31, 2021, Asante and Dr. Charles Carmeci, a cardiothoracic surgeon practicing at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, allegedly submitted claims for payment for various cardiothoracic surgeries. These included decortications, PleurX catheter placements, pericardiectomies, mediastinal mass resections, patent foramen ovale, atrial septal defect closures, and Bentall procedures. The allegations suggest that these claims did not meet the necessary criteria for reimbursement or were otherwise deemed improper.

Medicare and Medicaid, public health insurance programs administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and TRICARE, a civilian health care program administered by the Defense Health Agency (DHA), were the targeted entities for these purported false claims.

It is important to note that the settlement does not imply an admission of liability by Asante or Dr. Carmeci, and both parties vehemently deny the government’s allegations.

This investigation was conducted by the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the FBI, and the Defense Health Agency (DHA). Alexis Lien, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, represented both HHS-OIG and FBI in this matter. Lisa M. Re, Assistant Inspector General for Legal Affairs for HHS-OIG, and Salvatore M. Maida, General Counsel for DHA, played pivotal roles in assisting with the litigation.