N.J. imaging centers allowed to reopen following kickback accusations
Eleven New Jersey imaging centers operated by Diagnostic Imaging Affiliates, which is currently involved in a Medicaid fraud investigation, will be allowed to reopen by order of a Superior Court judge in Morristown, according to a report from NJ.com.
Rehan Zuberi, the owner of Diagnostic Imaging Affiliates, was arrested earlier this year as part of the alleged Medicaid fraud scheme and charged with bribery, racketeering and other tax-related crimes. A dozen associates were also accused in the case, which allegedly involved kickbacks being paid to referring physicians to send patients to facilities run by Diagnostic Imaging Affiliates.
Zuberi’s attorney had filed a motion to have seized assets released in order to allow Diagnostic Imaging Affiliates to pay vendors and employees. Last week, Judge Stephan Hansbury allowed the imaging centers to be reopened, noting that 167 employees have been out of work since the centers were shuttered, meaning landlords, creditors, patients and other innocent parties were being harmed, according to NJ.com.
The state's Department of Health must approve all centers before they are reopened, said Hansbury.
Evan joined TriMed in 2011, writing primarily for Health Imaging. Prior to diving into medical journalism, Evan worked for the Nine Network of Public Media in St. Louis. He also has worked in public relations and education. Evan studied journalism at the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on broadcast media.