Four key notes:
1. The Sioux Falls, S.D.-based health system paid more than $20 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit in October over the alleged anti-kickback violation. Now, the federal government is alleging Dr. Asfora performed unnecessary surgeries at both Sanford Medical Center and Sioux Falls (S.D.) Specialty Hospital.
2. The federal complaint also alleges that patients were harmed by the unnecessary procedures, including patients that were paralyzed or had wrong-site procedures.
3. Dr. Asfora received warnings that he was performing excessive, aggressive and unnecessary procedures, according to the complaint, which included warnings from other medical professionals as well as Dr. Asfora’s lawyers.
4. Dr. Asfora attempted to hide his ownership of the medical device company from both hospitals, according to the complaint.
More articles on spine surgery:
Detroit Medical Center aims to save its neurosurgery residency program, set to close June 2020
Dr. Kern Singh performs 1st outpatient spine surgeries at new Rush facility
Judge dismisses lawsuit over Aetna’s spine surgery coverage: 4 things to know
