Robert Burkich, M.D., a physician from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and his practice, Preventive Medicine Anti-Aging & Chelation, Inc. in Ringgold, Georgia, have settled allegations under the False Claims Act. The claims involved accusations of submitting false claims to Medicare for unnecessary chelation therapy.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. stated that such actions deplete resources meant for Medicare beneficiaries who truly need care: “By falsely certifying that services provided to patients are medically necessary, healthcare providers deplete the resources available to Medicare beneficiaries who are actually in need of care.” He emphasized the office's commitment to identifying individuals committing fraud against Medicare.
Kelly J. Blackmon from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General remarked on the importance of integrity in billing practices: “Providers who knowingly submit unreasonable and medically unnecessary claims prioritize personal profits over their duty to patients and federal health care programs.”
Paul Brown of FBI Atlanta highlighted the need for accountability: “We must assure patients and taxpayers that the care provided by federally-funded healthcare programs is dictated by clinical needs, not fiscal greed.”
The United States alleges that between September 2009 and January 2017, Dr. Burkich billed Medicare for using edetate calcium disodium (EDTA), a drug intended only for lead poisoning cases. Allegedly, Dr. Burkich misrepresented patient conditions to secure reimbursements from Medicare.
The case was filed as United States v. Burkich et al., No. 1:19-cv-03510-MLB (N.D. Ga.) under the False Claims Act, which prohibits knowingly submitting false payment claims to government agencies.
Dr. Burkich agreed to pay $700,000 as restitution to Medicare under a settlement reached through the Department of Justice’s ability-to-pay guidelines after a financial analysis determined his capacity to settle.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony DeCinque and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Paris Wynn litigated this matter.
It is important to note that these resolved claims are allegations only with no determination of liability made.
For further details or inquiries, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280.