NuVasive Inc. (NSDQ:NUVA) today said it agreed to pay $13.8 million to settle a U.S. Justice Dept. probe into possible healthcare fraud.
San Diego-based NuVasive said in July 2013 that the U.S. Health & Human Services Dept.’s inspector general issued a subpoena "in connection with an investigation into possible false or otherwise improper claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid" for documents from January 2007 through April 2013.
Then CEO Alex Lukianov said at the time that the subpoena contained "a very broad document request."
"It was very focused on interbody quant and biologics, Osteocel, and thermography, but very, very broad beyond those as well," said Lukianov, who was ousted early this month for violations of NuVasive’s expense and personnel policies.
Today the company said it doesn’t expect to ink a corporate integrity agreement as part of the settlement, which it said could take several months to finalize.
"The company cooperated fully with the inquiry, has responded to the concerns raised by the government, and has continued to work hard to enhance and sustain a culture of compliance throughout its operations. Resolution of the matter avoids the time and expense of a potentially lengthy litigation process," NuVasive said.
