Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
Robert Burkich, M.D., based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and his practice Preventive Medicine Anti-Aging & Chelation, Inc. in Ringgold, Georgia, have settled allegations under the False Claims Act. The claims accused them of submitting false claims to Medicare for unnecessary chelation therapy.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. stated, “By falsely certifying that services provided to patients are medically necessary, healthcare providers deplete the resources available to Medicare beneficiaries who are actually in need of care.” He emphasized the commitment to pursue individuals committing fraud against Medicare.
Kelly J. Blackmon from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General remarked on the priority given to personal profits over patient care by those submitting unreasonable claims. She highlighted ongoing efforts to investigate fraudulent billing practices.
Paul Brown from FBI Atlanta assured that federally-funded healthcare programs should focus on clinical needs rather than financial gain. He stressed collaboration with partners to hold providers accountable for unnecessary billing.
The allegations specify that between September 2009 and January 2017, Dr. Burkich billed Medicare for using edetate calcium disodium (EDTA) on patients not suffering from lead poisoning—a condition EDTA is intended for according to Medicare's rules.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia filed a lawsuit against Dr. Burkich and his practice under the False Claims Act for knowingly submitting false claims for payment to government agencies.
A settlement was reached under the Department of Justice’s ability-to-pay guidelines due to Dr. Burkich's financial situation. He and his practice will pay $700,000 as restitution to Medicare.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony DeCinque and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Paris Wynn litigated this matter.
The resolved claims remain allegations without any determination of liability.
For more information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280.
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