Two companies that operated a Clarksville-based pain management clinic and two of their managers have agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act.
United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee announced the settlement.
The settlement resolves allegations against Clarksville Pain Institute, LLC; Pain Institute of Nashville, PLC; Michael Cox; and Debbie Cox.
According to a complaint filed by the United States on Sept. 11, 2024, the defendants allegedly billed Medicare and the Department of Veterans Affairs for medically unnecessary urine drug testing, allergy testing and psychological testing between April 2014 and May 2024.
Clarksville Pain Institute operated a pain management clinic with its primary location in Clarksville and additional locations in White House and Springfield. The clinic merged with Pain Institute of Nashville in 2018. Michael Cox and Debbie Cox held various management positions with both entities, and Debbie Cox held an ownership interest in both.
“Federal health care programs exist to provide necessary medical care, not to generate payments for unnecessary testing,” said U.S. Attorney Boucek. “When providers allegedly misuse these programs for financial gain, they undermine public trust and divert taxpayer dollars from legitimate patient care. Our office will continue working with our federal partners to protect the integrity of these programs and hold those who submit false...
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