Medical Device Manufacturer Agrees To $13.5M Settlement

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Federal prosecutors say a medical device manufacturer has agreed to pay the U.S. $13.5 million over allegations of false claims for the company's devices.

Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said in a news release Thursday that California-based NuVasive Inc. agreed this week to the settlement, which also resolves allegations that the company paid kickbacks to physicians to use its devices.

Prosecutors said NuVasive promoted the use of its CoRoent System for surgical uses that were not approved or cleared by the Food and Drug Administration, including treatment of complex spine deformities.

Prosecutors alleged that NuVasive caused physicians and hospitals to submit claims to Medicare for surgeries not eligible for reimbursement.

NuVasive said in a statement on its website that the settlement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing.

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