Teleradiology firm must pay $715K judgment to overseas outsourced imaging group
A judge has ordered a Georgia teleradiology outfit to pay over $715,000 owed to an India-headquartered imaging group it used to outsource interpretation work.
Bhilai, Chhattisgarh-based Univabs first took The Radiology Group (TRG) to court in May 2025 after an independent arbitrator had ruled TRG owed the imaging firm over $715,000. TRG, meanwhile, which operates out of Atlanta, filed counterclaims accusing Univabs of fraud, conflicts of interest and “unjust enrichment.”
However, U.S. District Judge Victoria M. Calvert on Wednesday ruled in favor of the central India imaging practice, which reads an estimated 500 exams a day, according to its website. The Radiology Group now must pay Univabs $620,840 along with $94,422 in pre-judgment interest and further accruals on the principal balance.
“[The Radiology Group] essentially argues that the arbitrator failed to ensure that [Univabs] complied with its discovery obligations,” the Nov. 12 court decision states, with the Atlanta group arguing its partner needed to do more to prove it deserved the payment. “[TRG’s] objection is on shaky grounds to begin with because there is no right in arbitration to the same discovery procedures enjoyed in federal courts.”
TRG and Univabs first inked their latest teleradiology services agreement in January 2022. It contained a provision stipulating contract disputes would be resolved under Georgia state laws. In March 2023, Univabs filed a demand for arbitration, with TRG countering, claiming its former partner owed over $2 million for “overpayment of services at rates incurred under false pretenses.”
According to court documents, Vikas Verma had worked both as a manager at TRG and (unbeknownst to the U.S. radiology group) director and officer at Univabs. Verma allegedly used his position to overcharge TRG for outsourcing services at a more than 100% mark-up over internal costs at Univabs. This resulted in a more than $2 million overpayment to TRG, the imaging firm claims.
However, in May 2025, arbitrators ruled The Radiology Group owed Univabs the six-figure sum due to breach of contract. TRG challenged the decision in court, contending the arbitrator exceeded his power by refusing to follow the parties’ original agreement. But the arbitrator cited provisions in Vikas Vermas’ contract, which did not forbid The Radiology Group manager from having outside interests in other companies (even ones doing business with TRG).
“Vikas Verma’s duties as manager are clearly and unambiguously excluded from that relationship of managerial exclusive duty to TRG,” the court order states.
The Radiology Group, conversely, contended this represented a conflict of interest that posed grievous harm to the business.
“[A]s majority owner, a director, and an officer of Univabs, Verma had knowledge of and access to material information of Univabs regarding the costs of delivering services to TRG that he was duty-bound to disclose to TRG and its other manager—Anand Lalaji,” court documents state.
Judge Calvert also shot down allegations the arbitrator engaged in “procedural misconduct causing prejudice.” TRG had charged Univabs failed to honor its obligations in the arbitration process, not allowing attorneys to question representatives as part of the proceedings. But the judge emphasized the arbitration process does not conform to the same rules seen in federal courts.
The Radiology Group was previously in the news in March 2024 after it agreed to pay $3.1 million to settle allegations it improperly billed the government for work handled by contractors in India that one physician merely “rubber-stamped.” A staff radiologist in the U.S. reportedly would spend as few as 30 seconds reviewing reports prepared by overseas readers who weren’t permitted to practice medicine nor bill government healthcare programs, authorities charged.
As part of the settlement, The Radiology Group admitted and accepted responsibility for the accusations. Allegations arose from claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid for services furnished from 2012 to 2018. Two former employees who worked at TRG filed the whistleblower complaint under seal. Services at issue were in large part performed by a single radiologist who didn’t follow directions nor appropriate protocols and was ultimately terminated. TRG also blamed an unnamed third-party billing company that failed repeatedly to ensure claims were appropriate and payable.
Law360 first reported news of the Nov. 12 court ruling.
Update Nov. 19: The Radiology Group shared a statement on the ruling and tagged Radiology Business on social media. It is pasted as follows. TRG also is involved in two separate lawsuits against Univabs and other related parties. You can find the complaints here and here.
"As entrepreneurs in healthcare, we believe strongly in fair, transparent partnerships, especially when working with international companies. A recent ruling involving our former overseas partner highlights exactly why these principles matter.
This was a long-time partner who took advantage of our trust, and we are committed to righting that wrong. Although our legal costs now exceed the amount in dispute, and the case is going to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, we continue to fight because the principle is more important than the payment.
We’re standing up not only for ourselves, but for all emerging healthcare entrepreneurs who deserve honest, conflict-free global partnerships. Protecting the integrity of this industry matters."
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.