Feds raid offices of radiology company implicated in Medicare fraud

Federal agents last week raided the corporate headquarters of Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology in Lindenhurst, N.Y., seizing records associated with an investigation into allegations that the radiology company engaged in fraud by overbilling Medicare for its services, according to an article in Newsday.

The company has offices in Lindenhurst, Elmont, Hicksville, Merrick, Massapequa, West Islip, Smithtown, Stony Brook, East Setauket, Patchogue and Medford. According to Newsday, agents from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Office of Inspector General and the FBI are working with prosecutors from the Eastern District in investigating the allegations.

The company was in the news earlier this year as a result of a lawsuit filed by the family of a 79-year-old stroke victim. The family claimed the stroke was the result of an injury he suffered after he stepped into an MRI room at the company's center in Medford with his metal walker, which was pulled from his hand by the MRI unit, causing him to fall and hit his head.

In other New York radiology news, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a $6.2 million settlement with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Lantheus Medical Imaging to settle charges they failed to pay New York State and city taxes.

Schneiderman alleges that Lantheus Medical Imaging and its former parent company, Bristol-Myers Squibb, didn't pay the applicable taxes between 2002 and 2006, when Lantheus was known as Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging.

"Lantheus' failure to pay these taxes was indefensible," Schneiderman said in an announcement. "It's simple--Corporations doing business in New York are obligated to pay taxes on their earnings, and those companies that fail to do so will be held accountable. This resolution makes a huge difference for hardworking New Yorkers who pay their taxes and play by the rules."

To learn more:
- see the article in Newsday
- read the announcement