Ill. Must Refile Lawsuit Alleging MRI Scam

Illinois attorney general Lisa Madigan says the office must refile a lawsuit against more than 20 Chicago-area radiology centers it accuses of getting referrals by paying kickbacks to doctors.

A state judge says he needs more detail about the allegations against each defendant.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan joined the lawsuit in January. It alleges that the MRI operators entered into “sham” lease deals with doctors. It says doctors got a cut of money received from insurance companies for each patient scanned, resulting in fraudulent bills to insurers for millions of dollars.

Attorneys for the centers say the ruling shows the case lacks merit.

A Madigan spokeswoman tells the Chicago Tribune the state will refile by October 11th.