The Norman Parathyroid Center lawsuit was a federal False Claims Act case brought by two former patients and later joined by the U.S. government, alleging that the Tampa practice and its founder, Dr. James Norman, had improperly billed Medicare and other federal health programs. It ended on July 24, 2017, when Norman agreed to pay $4 million to resolve the allegations without any formal finding of liability, and his medical license was never disciplined as a result.1U.S. Department of Justice. Owner of Tampa Parathyroid Practice Agrees to Pay $4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act2Bloomberg Law. Parathyroid Surgeon to Pay $4M Over Medicare Billing Claims
What the Lawsuit Alleged
The government’s core accusation was double billing. Between April 2008 and December 2016, according to the complaint, Norman submitted separate Medicare claims for pre-operative examinations performed the day before or the day of surgery, even though payment for those exams was already included in the surgical fee the government reimbursed.1U.S. Department of Justice. Owner of Tampa Parathyroid Practice Agrees to Pay $4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act
The suit also alleged the practice charged patients directly for additional fees on top of the government reimbursement. Those fees ranged from $150 to $750 for Florida residents and $1,750 or more for patients traveling from out of state.1U.S. Department of Justice. Owner of Tampa Parathyroid Practice Agrees to Pay $4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act
The allegedly fraudulent claims went to Medicare, TRICARE, and the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.1U.S. Department of Justice. Owner of Tampa Parathyroid Practice Agrees to Pay $4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act
Who Filed the Case
Former patients Myra Gross and Dr. David Gross filed the suit in 2014 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. They brought it under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which let private citizens sue on behalf of the federal government when they believe federal programs have been defrauded. The government later intervened and joined their allegations against Norman and his practice.1U.S. Department of Justice. Owner of Tampa Parathyroid Practice Agrees to Pay $4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act2Bloomberg Law. Parathyroid Surgeon to Pay $4M Over Medicare Billing Claims
The $4 Million Settlement
The Justice Department announced the $4 million agreement on July 24, 2017. The settlement stated that there had been no formal determination of liability, and Norman did not admit wrongdoing.1U.S. Department of Justice. Owner of Tampa Parathyroid Practice Agrees to Pay $4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act2Bloomberg Law. Parathyroid Surgeon to Pay $4M Over Medicare Billing Claims
Myra and David Gross received approximately $600,000 as their share of the proceeds, consistent with the awards typically paid to relators in qui tam cases.1U.S. Department of Justice. Owner of Tampa Parathyroid Practice Agrees to Pay $4 Million to Resolve False Claims Act
The Corporate Integrity Agreement
The settlement also required Norman and the Norman Parathyroid Center to enter into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It took effect on July 18, 2017, ran for three years, and closed on July 9, 2020. The compliance category was Claims Review, meaning the practice’s billing was subject to heightened scrutiny during that period. The OIG lists the agreement’s status as closed, indicating the practice completed its terms without further enforcement action.3HHS Office of Inspector General. Norman Parathyroid Center, P.A. and James Norman, M.D.
Effect on Dr. Norman’s Medical License
Neither the settlement nor the integrity agreement produced disciplinary action against Norman’s license to practice. The Florida Department of Health practitioner profile lists his license (ME58735) as Clear/Active with an expiration date of January 31, 2028, and reports no final disciplinary actions by any specialty board, licensing agency, or healthcare institution, and no sanctions or termination from the Medicaid program.4Florida Department of Health. Practitioner Profile – James Glenn Norman Jr.