PADUCAH, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure released an order on Monday revoking the license of a doctor accused of failing to diagnose a brain tumor while working for a western Kentucky hospital.
Dr. Anand P. Lalaji, a Georgia telemedicine radiologist, first licensed in Kentucky in 2008, according to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure has had his license revoked.
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Lalaji was responsible for diagnostic radiology, using X-rays and CT scans to diagnose a patient’s condition.
In November 2023, Mercy Health Lourdes , a hospital in Paducah, suspended Lalaji after reports of him misreading images and missing conditions in eight cases. These reports prompted an investigation by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.
According to a case report by the board, Lalaji missed a brain tumor and a perirectal abscess.
The order said Lalaji did not attend the mandatory hearing, despite being told not attending could result in a default ruling. The hearing officer recommended that the board enter and order a finding that the allegations against Lalaji were true since he did not attend.
The board approved the recommendation and revoked Lalaji’s license to practice in Kentucky.
Lalaji can apply for reinstatement in two years if he has paid $7,056 to cover the board’s costs in the case.
A review of the Georgia Composite Medical Board website reveals Lalaji can still practice medicine in Georgia but his license is currently suspended or under review by eight state boards. One of them in North Carolina is listed as a letter of concern, not a disciplinary action.
Lalaji’s Georgia medical license is connected to The Radiology Group , where he is listed as the chief executive officer. The Radiology Group, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a teleradiology company that provides diagnostic radiology services to hospitals, urgent care centers, and primary care physician centers located across the country.
In March, The Radiology Group reached a $3.1 million False Claims Act settlement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for fraudulent billing practices.
The Department of Justice said The Radiology Group fraudulently billed federal health care programs when the U.S.-based radiologist “rubber stamped” interpretation reports prepared by contractors in India who were not permitted to practice medicine in the United States or bill federal health care programs.
Read more of the latest trending news “As part of the settlement, The Radiology Group and Anand Lalaji admitted that they failed to ensure that their U.S.-based radiologists were conducting a meaningful and adequate review of draft radiology interpretation reports. Defendants potentially jeopardized patients’ health by taking shortcuts when it came to ensuring that important radiological tests were done and reviewed properly. Individuals and entities that participate in the federal health care system are required to obey the laws meant to preserve the integrity of program funds and the provision of appropriate, quality services to patients,” HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz said.
The Department of Justice said certain radiologists at The Radiology Group merely “rubber stamped” the draft reports and transmitted them to the providers without conducting a meaningful and adequate review of the findings, even though the contractors in India were not permitted to practice medicine in the U.S.
“For instance, one radiologist (“Radiologist A”) approved, signed, and transmitted to providers over 100,000 Interpretation Reports and frequently approved draft CT scan reports in less than 30 seconds,” reads a news release.
On March 28, The Radiology Group released a statement about the settlement .
“Since 2019 and over the course of this prolonged process, TRG has spent a considerable amount of time and resources on improving its hiring of radiologists, compliance professionals, and outside vendors, ensuring that it is identifying and retaining only the best, most qualified partners as it continues to provide cutting-edge teleradiology services for clients throughout the country. It has also streamlined and invested in its workflow processes to ensure compliance with all applicable rules and regulations governing this critical service line. As evidence of TRG’s commitment to compliance, this settlement did not require the company to adopt a corporate integrity agreement or other similar compliance oversight by outside agencies. TRG is pleased to move forward from this settlement so it can focus on best serving its clients and patients,” reads the news release.
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