ICE RESPONDS TO THEIR CRITICS

Dr. Asad Qamar and Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence (ICE) have come under fire recently for alleged improprieties in Medicare billings and have been criticized for the ways the practice conducts its day-to-day operations. Dr. Qamar has even been denounced in the press for the hours he chooses to devote to patient care.

Pending resolution of the dispute, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have removed Dr. Qamar from their Medicare list. The other physicians and practices of ICE remain unaffected.

Dr. Qamar would like to set the record straight—for his staff and for the patients who rely on him for the skilled, compassionate treatment that defines ICE.

“There have been allegations in the local press that I would like to respond to,” Dr. Qamar said. “Not for my ego or to settle a score. I am very comfortable with who I am and I’m proud what I have done for my patients and for my community. But I do owe it to my patients, my staff and to my associates to respond to these allegations and to assure them that ICE and myself will be available to take care of them in future and for many years to come.”

ICE is one of the largest billers of Medicare and has been singled out for it.

“We have actually saved the Medicare Fund hundreds of millions of dollars. Yes, hundreds of millions. How? Because of our aggressive approach in treating peripheral artery disease (PAD), ICE has the lowest amputation rate for PAD in the entire United States. Amputations average over $500,000—including the costs for the initial amputation, fees for hospitalization, posthospitalization care and fitting of prosthesis. This doesn’t include work lost to the patient or the society. Plus, the treatments we provide to save a limb or a life are outpatient procedures and are much less expensive than a hospital visit.”

“Besides, ICE has over 24,000 patients. We have seven offices, over 200 employees and provide services to residents in five counties. Those are the costs and numbers involved. But how can you put a price on a person’s limb? On a person’s life?”

People have said that ICE performs unnecessary medical procedures.

“We are a cardiovascular practice. People come to us with multiple risk factors for PAD or coronary artery disease. They smoke. They are overweight. They have diabetes. Non-invasive tests prove to us they have PAD. Should we not treat them? Do we wait until they lose a limb or occlude an artery? Certainly not. Morally and ethically, we are bound to give the very best possible care we can to these individuals.”

ICE has been accused of billing more than 24 hours in a 24-hour time period.

“That is incorrect. There are certain specialties in medicine that bill by the hour. ICE does not bill by the hour. We bill by the service provided.”

What are people to conclude from all this?

“I want to conclude by saying that neither ICE nor myself have been found guilty of any wrongdoing. My associates and I will continue to provide the best possible care to you and your loved ones—the kind of care that you have come to expect from ICE.”