(The Center Square) – The federal government and the state of Illinois have filed a joint complaint alleging that a Chicago-area medical practice and billing company knowingly submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid and Medicare, resulting in the payment of more than $5.2 million in false claims.
According to the complaint filed in federal court on Monday, Foot & Ankle Health Care Center, LTD., European Foot & Ankle Surgical Care, LTD., their owner, Dr. Vadim Goshko, and billing companies Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC and Atlantic Wave II, LLC knowingly submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for podiatry services performed by oshko after he had already been terminated from the Medicaid program.
Because Illinois Medicaid was no longer paying Goshko’s claims, the defendants allegedly worked together to submit claims that listed other physicians as having provided the podiatry services that were actually performed by Goshko.
The government’s complaint seeks treble damages and civil penalties under the federal False Claims Act, the Illinois False Claims Act, and common law claims for payments by mistake and unjust enrichment.
PRITZKER SIGNS BILLS AIMED AT PROTECTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed three bills aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
According to a statement from the governor’s office, Senate Bill 3044 closes a legal loophole that occurs between emergency and final orders of protection for survivors of domestic violence and harassment.
Senate Bill 3048 creates safeguards for those at the highest risk of being seriously injured or killed by an intimate partner.
Senate Bill 3506 expands access to sexual assault nurse examiners with telehealth options.
ILLINOIS FUEL PRICES RISE BY ANOTHER DIME
Illinois gas prices have risen again, by an average of ten cents in the last week.
AAA listed the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded at $4.36 on Wednesday, up from $4.26 one week before and $4.16 one month ago.
The average price one year ago was $3.40 a gallon.
IMPORT, EXPORT PRICES RISE
Citing U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said on Tuesday that U.S. import prices increased 5.9% year over year in July.
U.S. export prices rose 8.2% year over year. Prices for non-agricultural exports went up 8.5% and agricultural exports increased 5.7% from a year prior.
NASCAR ANNOUNCES RETURN TO JOLIET IN 2027
NASCAR has released its 2027 schedule, with a return to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet set for June 25-27.
The track was largely vacant until NASCAR returned for three races last month.
World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway will move to August in 2027 after two seasons as a NASCAR Cup Series playoff race.
The Madison, Illinois track is slated to hold postseason races this year on Sept. 12 and 13.
NASCAR held street races in Chicago from 2023-2025, but the downtown event is not on the 2027 schedule.
