St. Peter’s Health, based in Helena, Montana, has agreed to pay $10.8 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to federal healthcare programs.
The settlement, announced on August 27 by U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, addresses claims related to billing practices for services performed by Dr. Thomas Weiner, an oncologist at the health system’s cancer treatment center.
According to the allegations, from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2020, St. Peter’s Health submitted claims for office visits that were either overstated in complexity or did not meet the requirements for separate billing when conducted on the same day as chemotherapy.
These actions were based on documentation and certifications provided by Dr. Weiner. The government also claimed that St. Peter’s compensated Dr. Weiner with a salary tied to these inflated claims, resulting in pay that exceeded fair market value.
The health system voluntarily disclosed the misconduct, which played a role in the settlement process. St. Peter’s conducted an internal investigation, provided relevant documents beyond legal requirements, identified key individuals involved, and made its staff available for interviews. The organization has also taken steps to enhance its corporate compliance program to prevent future violations.
The settlement involves multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and others. St. Peter’s Health is required to pay the settlement amount within 30 days of the agreement's effective date on August 26.
The settlement resolves the allegations without any admission of liability by St. Peter’s Health.
