Texas Firm to Pay Over $3M to Settle Ambulance Kickback Claims

A Texas company that operates nursing care facilities will pay nearly $3.2 million to settle allegations of receiving kickbacks from ambulance companies.

Regent Management Services of Galveston oversees 11 nursing facilities across Texas.

Federal prosecutors in Houston announced the agreement on Nov. 30. Investigators say the company was accused of accepting kickbacks from various ambulance companies in exchange for rights to Regent’s more lucrative Medicare and Medicaid transport referrals.

Texas paid for some of the disputed Medicaid claims and will receive approximately $533,000 of the settlement. Authorities say Regent has also agreed to implement compliance reforms over the next five years.

Prosecutors say the claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, with no determination of liability.