Bluestone Physician Services to pay $14.9M in false claims case

Bluestone Physician Services agreed to pay approximately $14.9 million and abide by a corporate integrity agreement to settle allegations first raised by a whistleblower that it filed false claims to federal and state health programs for chronic pain care to people in assisted living facilities.

From January 2015 through December 2019, Bluestone submitted claims to Florida, Minnesota, and federal health programs that exaggerated the extent of care provided, according to a settlement agreement published Wednesday by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The company agreed to pay more than $13.8 million to the government, which includes $7.45 million for restitution. It will pay an additional $1.1 million to Florida and Minnesota.