California Vascular Practice and Physician to Pay $6.73M in False Claims Act Settlement

A California vascular practice and its physician owner have agreed to pay more than $6.73 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act involving medically unnecessary vascular procedures billed to Medicare. According to the Department of Justice, Serrano Kidney & Vascular Access Center and physician Dr. Feliciano Serrano allegedly performed excessive angioplasty, stent, and atherectomy procedures on patients who either did not require treatment or received interventions far beyond accepted medical standards.

Federal investigators alleged that Dr. Serrano routinely exaggerated the severity of patients’ conditions, falsified symptoms in medical records, and repeatedly performed invasive procedures that offered little or no clinical benefit. In some cases, patients allegedly underwent dozens of unnecessary vascular interventions over multiple years. The government contended that the conduct resulted in false claims being submitted to Medicare and California Medicaid programs. As part of the settlement, the physician and practice agreed to pay both federal and state governments to resolve the allegations.

The settlement stemmed from a qui tam whistleblower lawsuit filed under the False Claims Act, with the relator expected to receive a portion of the recovery. The case underscores the government’s continued focus on prosecuting healthcare fraud involving medically unnecessary procedures, particularly where financial incentives may compromise patient care. It also highlights the important role that whistleblowers play in exposing fraudulent billing practices within federal healthcare programs.