Company admits to falsifying data in $26M settlement

FORT MYERS — Cancer treatment firm 21st Century Oncology agreed to pay $26 million to the federal government regarding self-disclosed claims that it used false data and other misrepresentations in the government's Medicare Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program.

As part of its self-disclosure, 21st Century Oncology reported that it “knowingly submitted, or caused the submission of, false attestations to CMS concerning employed physicians' use of EHR software,” according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office. The company further reported that “in support of the attestations, its employees falsified data regarding the company's use of EHR software, fabricated software utilization reports and superimposed EHR vendor logos onto the reports to make them look legitimate,” the release adds.

Under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, physicians who attest to their meaningful use of certified EHR technology may receive incentive payments and avoid downward adjustments to certain Medicare claims.