Dr. Eric Troyer, a physician from Landis, North Carolina, and his medical practice, Troyer Medical Inc. P.C., have agreed to pay $625,000 to settle allegations of involvement in laboratory kickback schemes. The settlement includes $429,254 to the United States for alleged False Claims Act violations and an additional $195,746 to the State of North Carolina.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton emphasized the importance of integrity in taxpayer-funded healthcare programs: “Kickbacks to healthcare providers can undermine the integrity of taxpayer-funded healthcare programs and medical decision making.” The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits financial incentives that might influence medical decisions covered by federally funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
The settlement addresses allegations that between August 2015 and November 2021, Dr. Troyer received kickbacks disguised as payments for services such as phlebotomy and office space rental from a laboratory in Anderson, South Carolina. These actions allegedly led to false claims submitted to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE.
U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs stated: “Patients should be able trust that their healthcare provider’s recommendations are for their well-being and not for the provider’s financial gain.” The case was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Christopher Terranova and Assistant U.S. Attorney Beth C. Warren.
Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office affirmed the FBI's commitment to addressing violations affecting public trust: “This resolution demonstrates the FBI’s dedication to addressing violations that undermine the public's trust in our healthcare systems.”
Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles from HHS-OIG highlighted ongoing enforcement efforts against improper financial influences on medical decisions: “Kickback arrangements aimed at improperly influencing medical decisions will remain a top investigative priority for our agency.”
The investigation involved coordination between several agencies including HHS-OIG, DCIS, FBI, and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office's Medicaid Investigations Division.
While these claims are resolved through settlement, it is important to note they remain allegations with no determination of liability.