Firm must repay state for med claims

Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1999 | 11:36 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- An owner of a mental health clinic in Las Vegas has agreed to repay the state $455,000 to settle claims for improper Medicaid billings.

Apogee Health Services, a former owner of Hess & Associates clinic, disclosed the false billings on its own initiative and will avoid criminal charges. It used students and residents in the treatment of patients but submitted the billings under the names of doctors.

Tim Terry, director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the office of the state attorney general, said Monday that Medicaid does not reimburse for students and residents. His agency will generally forego criminal prosecution if the companies or physicians report the over-billings themselves under certain circumstances, he said.

A criminal conviction automatically bars a health care provider from participating in Medicaid, Medicare or any other federally funded health care program for at least five years.

Another former owner, Summit Behavioral Partners, agreed to a $155,000 repayment in September.

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