Tennessee Eye Specialists Settle $17M Anti-Kickback Allegations

SouthEast Eye Specialists, SouthEast Eye Surgery Center, and Eye surgery Center of Chattanooga will pay $17 million to resolve allegations that they violated the Anti-Kickback Statute by inducing primary-care eye doctors to refer patients to SEES for cataract surgeries, according to a Monday news release.

The Tennessee-based company allegedly secured referrals from optometrists by providing financial remuneration in the form of continuing education, meals, sporting events, and pre-arranged co-management agreements.

Such alleged conduct is in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits remuneration to induce the referral of patients.

The case is United States ex rel. Odom v. Se. Eye Specialists, PLLC, M.D. Tenn., No. 3:17-cv-00689, 5/1/23