Urologist to pay $250K in false claims case

Fort Myers urologist Dr. Robert Scappa agreed to a $250,000 payment to resolve allegations he ordered unnecessary medical tests and then submitted the claims to federal health care programs.

Scappa, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, is with Scappa Urology, which was a division of Fort Myers-based cancer treatment firm 21st Century Oncology. Authorities contend that in January 2009, Scappa began to refer patients to take a FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) test, which are laboratory tests performed on urine that can detect genetic abnormalities associated with bladder cancer. But Medicare, according to the release, does not consider a FISH test reasonable or necessary “unless it's used to monitor for tumor reoccurrence in a patient previously diagnosed with bladder cancer or unless, after performing a full urologic workup, the physician has reason to suspect a patient with hematuria, such as blood in the urine, may have bladder cancer.”

Scappa, according to the statement, referred all the FISH tests he ordered to a laboratory owned and operated by 21st Century. He was paid bonuses by the company based in part, authorities allege, on the number of FISH tests he referred to 21st Century. The settlement is based on Scappa's ability to pay, the statement adds.