U.S. sues UPMC and top surgeon, alleges care violations and false billing – By Paula Reed Ward (Trib Live) / Sept 2 2021
The federal government on Thursday filed a civil complaint against UPMC, its longtime head of cardiothoracic surgery and a physicians group, accusing them of knowingly submitting hundreds of false claims to Medicare, failing to follow medical standards for surgery and knowingly putting patients at risk.
The allegations against Dr. James Luketich include that he regularly performed as many as three complex surgical procedures at the same time — having to move between operating rooms and sometimes hospitals — forcing patients to have to endure additional hours of anesthesia and develop complications.
The 47-page complaint alleges at least two of Luketich’s patients had to undergo amputations because of his actions, including one person who lost portions of a hand and one who lost their lower leg.
“The laws prohibiting ‘concurrent surgeries’ are in place for a reason: to protect patients and ensure they receive appropriate and focused medical care,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman in a statement. “Our office will take decisive action against any medical providers who violate those laws, and risk harm to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.”
