Spine Care Practice to Pay $2M to Settle Charges of Improper Billing

A Syracuse-area medical practice agreed to pay nearly $2 million to settle charges that it improperly billed for sedation services, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday. Physicians at New York Spine and Wellness Center are accused of spending fewer than the required 16 minutes with patients before billing for "moderate sedation" services. Moderate sedation produces a state that reduces the patient's ability to process pain and fear but maintains his or her ability to respond to directions and breathe without assistance.  Moderate sedation services are...