Rose Radiology Centers releases statement after $8.7 million settlement with government

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida recently announced that Tampa, Fla.-based Rose Radiology Centers had agreed to pay $8.71 million to the government to resolve several different allegations.

Now, Rose Radiology has issued a prepared statement on the settlement, offering the practice’s perspective on the situation.

“These allegations mostly arose from Rose Radiology staff operating in what they believed were correct interpretations of vague and conflicting health care regulations and our staff had a reasonable interpretation of these rules,” the statement read. “Despite the lack of merit to these allegations, Rose Radiology agreed to settle and refund several years of Medicare work that was all medically necessary and referred by respected community physicians.”

The statement went on to explain Rose Radiology’s decision to settle now and move forward.

“In order to focus on providing outstanding radiology services, Rose Radiology felt it was better to settle with the government demands, as the government naturally had a different interpretation of the complex regulations in health care today,” the statement read. “Rose Radiology believes it’s near impossible to litigate against the US Government with its infinite resources.”

Part of the statement was an extended quote from Manuel S. Rose, MD, who organized and incorporated Rose Radiology Centers in 2001. Rose said in the statement that despite everything that has happened, he and his team remain dedicated to “the highest quality of patient care.”

“I have always worked hard and served my country and my patients with high integrity,” Rose said. “Faced with a lawsuit that could potentially destroy my practice, I elected to settle so needed radiology services could still be provided to our community. It’s so unfortunate that health care professionals are being targeted, especially if they work hard and have a successful practice. I will continue to work hard at my practice, but I’ll make sure we are ultra diligent in our compliance programs and we will try hard to be perfect. Rose Radiology is more committed than ever to a strict and transparent compliance program.”

Rose is a Fellow of the American College of Radiology and a member of the Florida Medical Association, International Spinal Intervention Society, American Society of Spine Radiology, American Academy of Pain Management, American Roentgen Ray Society, Radiological Society of North America, and Florida Radiological Society. He also serves as the team radiologist of the Tampa Bay Lightning National Hockey League team.

Previous coverage of Rose Radiology’s settlement with the government can be found here.