(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. – Western New York Medical P.C. has agreed to pay $251,477 to resolve allegations of improper Medicare billing for chronic care management services, Acting U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti announced.

Federal authorities allege that between January 1, 2020, and March 31, 2023, WNY Medical submitted claims to Medicare for Chronic Care Management (CCM) services without meeting the required minimum of 20 minutes of clinical staff time per month. The government contends that some billed encounters did not meet this threshold.

“The financial integrity of the Medicare program depends on providers accurately and truthfully reporting the services that they are providing,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Violanti. “This office is committed protecting the integrity of the Medicare program by holding providers accountable when they seek payments for which they are not entitled.”

The settlement follows an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Officials emphasize that the claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and no determination of liability has been made.