Federal Way doctor settles ‘unnecessary’ urine drug test claims with Justice Department

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A Federal Way doctor has settled with the US Department of Justice over allegations that it charged government health programs for “unnecessary” urine drug tests, according to the Department of Justice. Justice.

Dr. Vuthy Leng, a 48-year-old general practitioner, owns and operates the Federal Way Family Practice Clinic. The settlement agreement stipulates that Leng will pay state and federal health programs $228,000 to resolve allegations that he charged government health programs for urine drug tests that did not were either never tested or were tested too late to be considered, according to the DOJ.

Federal Way Clinic in Leng had a certified laboratory capable of performing urine drug testing to screen patients for proper prescription of medications, including treatment for drug use disorders. substances.

Between January 1, 2019 and July 30, 2019, Leng reportedly submitted bills to Medicare and Medicaid for urine drug tests.

“In fact, for long periods during this time, medical equipment for testing urine was broken, samples were simply frozen to be tested at a later date. Some were never tested at all,” the statement said. press release from the DOJ.

Leng does not admit the settlement claims, but he will pay $76,000 in restitution to government medical programs, the DOJ said. The government can also seek treble damages, which would require Leng to pay $152,000, split between state and federal programs, over the next 12 months.

The settlement also requires each party to pay their own legal fees.

Under the terms of the settlement, each party will pay its own legal costs.

The Office of the Inspector General of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG), the Washington State Health Care Authority, and the Washington Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Division led the investigation. .

Assistant United States Attorney Nickolas Bohl negotiated the settlement for the United States Department of Justice.

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