Essilor of America: Essilor Agrees to Pay $16.4 Million to U.S. to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Liability for Paying Kickbacks

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Essilor has agreed to pay $16.4 million to the U.S. to resolve allegations that the company violated the federal False Claims Act by causing claims to be submitted to Medicare and Medicaid that resulted from violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute. The Anti‑Kickback Statute prohibits offering or paying anything of value to induce the referral of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other federally-funded programs. The statute is intended to ensure that medical providers' judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives.