American Health Imaging, Inc. (AHI) and its founder, Scott Arant, will pay over $5 million to settle accusations of breaking the law by giving gifts and payments to doctors in exchange for sending patients to AHI’s testing centers.
The U.S. Attorney for Northern Georgia, Ryan Buchanan, stated that between 2011 and 2019, AHI gave doctors meals, tickets, and other gifts to encourage them to refer diagnostic scans to AHI. AHI also allegedly paid doctors above-market rates for services to get more referrals.
Buchanan emphasized that using gifts and payments to get referrals harms healthcare programs and undermines trust. He said this settlement shows that his office is serious about holding companies accountable for breaking rules meant to stop fraud in Medicare and Medicaid.
The allegations were brought forward by Tanya Benjamin, a former employee of AHI, through the whistleblower provision of the law. She will receive a part of the settlement.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr also stated that the state will continue to fight Medicaid fraud and protect patients and taxpayers from abuse.
The case also revealed that AHI gave gifts like alcohol, gas cards, free scans, and even tickets to sports events and concerts. Doctors were also paid for interpreting the scans they referred to AHI.
AHI is based in Atlanta and has over 20 locations in Georgia, including one in Gainesville.