CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Premier Medical Group, a multi-physician medical practice based in Clarksville, has agreed to pay $2.8 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by improperly billing Medicare and TRICARE for services provided by non-physician practitioners.

Premier has stated the dispute was over a coding issue that it discovered, self-reported and resolved several years ago. “This matter is related solely to a coding issue. It does not involve any concerns related to the quality of care provided by our team, and no patient or payer was billed for a service that was not provided,” said a statement Premier shared with Clarksville Now on Tuesday.

The settlement resolves allegations that, from Nov. 1, 2018, through May 31, 2023, Premier submitted claims to Medicare and TRICARE for services performed by non-physician practitioners using physicians’ National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Tennessee.

“Federal health care programs depend on providers following the rules and billing taxpayers accurately,” said U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek. “When providers submit improper claims, they undermine the integrity of programs that millions of Americans, including our service members and veterans, rely on for essential care. Our office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect these programs and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent as intended.”

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Premier will pay $2.8 million to the United States.

“We opted to settle this matter rather than take on the distraction and expense of a long court process,” the Premier statement said. “Notably, we have not agreed that any wrongdoing has occurred, and we are not being required to enter into a corporate integrity agreement or action plan to remedy any concerns about our conduct or operations.

“We are pleased to have this matter behind us and to be able to focus all of our time and attention on helping our team care for this community each day,” the statement said.

| ADD US ON GOOGLE NEWS: Click here to see more local news from Clarksville Now