Vero Beach Doc Settles Fraudulent Medicare Billing Claims

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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) - A Vero Beach surgeon and the plastic surgery clinic he runs have agreed to pay $4 million to settle allegations that they improperly billed Medicare for procedures that were unnecessary or never performed.

Dr. Donald C. Proctor Jr. also agreed under the False Claims Act settlement not to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs for at least five years. Proctor runs the Grove Place Surgery Center in Vero Beach.

The allegations focused mainly on complex surgery involving removal of skin cancer. They were originally made in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by another surgeon and a technician who formerly worked for Proctor.

Under the False Claims Act, the two whistleblowers will receive $920,000. The law allows people to sue on behalf of the government and receive a share of a settlement.

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