DOJ says Modern Nuclear Inc. will pay $8.33 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations involving unlawful kickbacks to referring cardiologists. Prosecutors describe alleged above-fair market fees for supervision of PET scans for patients referred by those cardiologists.

A DOJ settlement announcement ties medical-payment fraud enforcement to referral kickbacks that allegedly distorted clinical and billing processes. DOJ says Modern Nuclear Inc. agreed to pay $8.33 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations stemming from unlawful kickbacks to referring cardiologists. According to the statement, the alleged conduct involved payments structured as fees for supervision of PET scans that were provided for patients referred by those cardiologists. Prosecutors characterize the arrangement as involving above-fair market fees, suggesting that the payments were not purely compensation for services at a market rate, but instead allegedly used to influence referrals. When kickback schemes impact referrals, they can lead to false or fraudulent claims being submitted to federal healthcare programs, which is the basis for FCA exposure. The press release frames the settlement as a resolution of alleged misconduct rather than a criminal conviction, but it reflects the government’s continuing focus on payment integrity and anti-kickback compliance. Consumers may not directly see these arrangements, but downstream effects can include unnecessary tests, increased costs, and compromised trust in healthcare referrals. The DOJ action also signals that entities offering medical services and supervision should ensure compensation models are defensible, compliant, and consistent with fair market principles and applicable healthcare fraud rules.