Doctor’s estate, UMC Physicians paying $3.28 million to settle claims

DALLAS — The estate of Dr. Kenneth Michael Rice and UMC Physicians (UMCP) have agreed to pay a total of $3,280,000.00 to the United States and the State of Texas to settle allegations that Dr. Rice and UMCP violated the False Claims Act, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Specifically, the United States alleged that Dr. Rice, by and through UMCP, submitted false claims for payment to Medicaid and Medicare related to in-person evaluation and management services, as well as critical care services. The estate of Dr. Rice agreed to pay the United States and the State of Texas $2 million, collectively, to settle the allegations. UMCP agreed to pay $1,280,000 to settle the matter. Both the Estate of Dr. Rice and UMCP fully cooperated with the investigation and, by settling, did not admit any wrongdoing or liability.