Dermatologist John Y. Chung, M.D., and his practice Skin Cancer & Cosmetic Dermatology Center, P.C., which operates clinics in Rome, Calhoun and Cartersville, have agreed to pay $6.6 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act.
The U.S. Attorney's office in Knoxville says Chung and his practice "knowingly submitting false claims to federal healthcare programs for Mohs Micrographic Surgeries and other dermatological procedures."
The claims settled by the agreement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability, according to a media release from the prosecutors' office. The practice is closed on Fridays; we have left messages seeking comment and will post those if they become available.
In addition to our area, Chung also has clinics in other parts of North Georgia and southeastern Tennessee. The specific locations involved in the claims were not identified by investigating agencies included Tennessee, Georgia and the FBI.
Authorities say they received a tip from a "whistleblower" who, as part of the agreement, will receive $1.32 million.
According to a media release:
The settlement resolves allegations that Chung and the clinic knowingly submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid, and other government payors for Mohs procedures that were billed as if both the surgery and pathology portions of the procedures were performed by Chung, when in fact at least one portion was often performed by other individuals.
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