An Ocala-based healthcare agency, its CEO, and two local doctors have agreed to pay $490,000 to resolve allegations that kickbacks were paid and received in violation of the False Claims Act.
The United States Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that Village Home Care LLC (VHC), which is located in Ocala, has agreed to pay $225,000 to resolve the allegations that the healthcare agency paid kickbacks to two physicians via sham medical director or sublease agreements in exchange for patient referrals.
In addition, Joy Rodak (CEO and majority owner of VHC) agreed to separately pay a $105,000 fine for the violations. Agreements were also reached with the two physicians, Dr. Vishnu Reddy and Dr. Kuchakulla Reddy, who were both accused of accepting kickbacks from VHC.
Dr. Vishnu has agreed to pay a $100,000 fine, and Dr. Kuchakulla will pay a separate fine in the amount of $61,943.44.
According to the Department of Justice, on January 15, 2021, the United States filed complaints in connection with two whistleblower lawsuits that were brought under the False Claims Act against VHC and Rodak. The allegations claimed that they knowingly billed Medicare for home health service for patients referred to VHC by Dr. Vishnu over a two-year period (November 15, 2012, through November 14, 2014) while paying Dr. Vishnu under sham medical director agreements.
The United States further alleged that VHC and Rodak knowingly billed Medicare for home health services for patients that had...
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