PLANTATION, Fla., Feb. 1, 2021 /CNW/ - Akumin Inc. (NASDAQ: AKU)
(TSX: AKU) (the "Company") has finalized a definitive settlement
agreement resolving an investigation by the United States
Department of Justice and the Office of the Inspector General of
the Department of Health and Human Services ("OIG-HHS") into
whether the Company, operating through one or more of its
subsidiaries or professional service affiliates in Delaware and/or Texas, sought reimbursement from the Federal
Government for diagnostic imaging studies performed without the
required level of supervision and/or evidence such supervision was
performed. The investigation was initiated by a relator
pursuant to a qui tam complaint and relates predominantly to
activities of subsidiaries or professional services affiliates of
the Company that occurred prior to the Company having acquired
control of those entities.
Pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement, the Company
made a payment of US$749,600.
The final aggregate settlement amounts did not differ materially
from provisions previously established in the Company's
consolidated financial statements in connection with this
matter.
The settlement does not constitute a finding of improper conduct
or failure to provide appropriate care and treatment in accordance
with governing rules and regulations or an admission of facts or
liability by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or professional
service affiliates. The Company denies the allegations raised
in this matter and is pleased to have resolved this matter to avoid
future distractions and the high costs of litigation, while
ensuring that our focus remains steadfast on providing care to our
patients.
In connection with the settlement, the OIG-HHS confirmed it was
not seeking any change or modification to the Company's existing
Corporate Integrity Agreement with the OIG-HHS in Texas, which is set to expire in mid-2021, nor
would the OIG-HHS be seeking any new integrity obligations.
The Company is committed to compliance with federal reimbursement
rules and believes its existing compliance program makes it well
positioned to comply with its physician supervision
requirements.
About Akumin
Akumin is a leading provider of freestanding, fixed-site
outpatient diagnostic imaging services in the United States with a network of owned
and/or operated imaging centers located in Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas and Georgia. By combining our clinical expertise
with the latest advances in technology and information systems, our
centers provide physicians with imaging capabilities to facilitate
the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders and may
reduce unnecessary invasive procedures, minimizing the cost and
amount of care for patients. Our imaging procedures include MRI,
CT, positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasound, diagnostic
radiology (X-ray), mammography, and other interventional
procedures.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain information in this press release constitutes
forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in
all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use
of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets",
"expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity
exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes",
"anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations
of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or
results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be
taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that
refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of
future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information.
Statements containing forward-looking information are not
historical facts but instead represent management's expectations,
estimates and projections regarding future events.
Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of
opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered
reasonable by Akumin as of the date of this press release, are
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and
other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity,
performance or achievements to be materially different from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including
but not limited to the factors described in greater detail in the
"Risk Factors" section of our Management Discussion & Analysis
dated November 11, 2020, which is
available at www.sedar.com and at www.sec.gov. These factors are
not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could
affect Akumin; however, these factors should be considered
carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and
assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking
statements contained in this press release are made as of the date
of this press release, and Akumin expressly disclaims any
obligation to update or alter statements containing any
forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions
underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise, except as required by law.
SOURCE Akumin Inc.