Federal investigators alleged that from 2015 to 2019, Veni-Express and the Steinbaums knowingly submitted false claims to federal health care programs for venipuncture services—blood draws—that were never performed during home visits.
California-based Veni-Express Inc. and its owners, Myrna and Sonny Steinbaum, have agreed to pay at least $135,000 to settle allegations related to the False Claims Act. The company was accused of submitting fraudulent claims for mobile phlebotomy services and associated travel expenses while also paying illegal kickbacks to a third-party marketer, violating the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS).
As part of the settlement, Veni-Express will pay $100,000, along with additional amounts based on the sale of company assets. Myrna Steinbaum will contribute $25,000, while Sonny Steinbaum will pay $10,000. These amounts reflect the Steinbaums’ financial capabilities.
“Providers must not bill for services they did not perform. Further, the presence of unlawful kickbacks all too often corrupts medical judgment,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert for the Eastern District of California. “Our office is committed to investigating and holding accountable those who violate the False Claims Act and AKS to safeguard the public fisc and protect the integrity of our federal health care system.”
Federal investigators alleged that from 2015 to 2019, Veni-Express and the Steinbaums knowingly submitted false claims to federal health care programs for venipuncture services—blood draws—that were never performed during home visits. They also sought reimbursement for travel mileage that Medicare would not cover. Furthermore, the company allegedly paid unlawful kickbacks to a third-party marketer, Altera Laboratories (also known as Med2U Healthcare LLC), for promoting its services from July 2014 to June 2015, in violation of the AKS.
The settlement resolves claims brought under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by former phlebotomist Banisha Evans and Texas lab director Richard Drummond. These provisions allow private individuals to sue on behalf of the government for false claims and receive a portion of any recovered funds.
The share of the settlement allocated to the whistleblowers is still pending determination. This resolution was achieved through the collaborative efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
“Improper incentives and billing Medicare for services never actually provided divert taxpayer funding meant to pay for medically necessary services for Medicare enrollees,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Ryan of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners remain committed to identifying and holding accountable those who engage in such unlawful relationships.”
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