SPOKANE, Wash – MultiCare has agreed to pay $3.7 million to settle federal allegations that the healthcare system allowed a neurosurgeon to perform unnecessary spinal surgeries, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today.
The settlement involves Dr. Jason Dreyer, a formerly licensed neurosurgeon who worked at MultiCare from 2019 until his license was restricted in 2021.
“These allegations represent a profound breach of trust. When patients undergo procedures, they don’t need, not only is their health and safety jeopardized, but valuable taxpayer dollars are wasted,” said Jeff McIntosh.
According to federal prosecutors, a physician’s assistant repeatedly reported Dreyer to MultiCare management about concerns regarding his surgical practices, stating he was concerned patients were being hurt.
“After all of that, they still let him continue to do these unnecessary surgeries to make money for MultiCare millions of dollars,” said Tyler H.L. Tornabene, Assistant United States Attorney.
Attorney Bill Gilbert’s law firm has been handling cases related to the neurosurgeon’s alleged malpractice. “We’re taught from the time we’re little to trust our doctors, and the betrayal in this case is just immense,” Gilbert said. “We ended up with over 100 clients between Providence and MultiCare.”
Dreyer previously worked at Providence and was linked to a $22.7 million settlement for his actions at that facility. Dryer also paid an individual lawsuit of $1.1 million.
Federal documents indicate Dreyer treated hundreds of patients while working at both Providence and MultiCare.
The neurosurgeon worked at Deaconess for nearly two years. Attorneys claim the hospital was aware of the danger he posed to patients but allowed him to continue operating and generating profit.
Federal prosecutors did not specify the exact number of unnecessary surgeries Dreyer performed during his time at MultiCare.
MultiCare responded to the settlement in a statement, saying in part, “MultiCare vigorously litigated the government’s allegations for nearly two years. The record that developed during that process speaks for itself. We are pleased to have resolved this matter and remain focused on delivering high-quality care to the communities we serve.”
Gilbert says seeing hospitals involved in the case face consequences offers some sense of closure to affected patients, though the impact remains significant.
“That betrayal is so impactful on these patients,” Gilbert said.
You can find the press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Washington here.
MultiCare’s full statement:
MultiCare Health System announced today that it has reached a final agreement to resolve a lawsuit brought by the United States and the State of Washington in connection with a complaint filed by the government in January 2024. The complaint concerned reimbursement for certain neurosurgical services provided by MultiCare’s former employee, Dr. Jason Dreyer, several years ago.The settlement resolves the allegations in the government’s complaint and does not involve any admission of liability or determination of wrongdoing. MultiCare’s decision to resolve this matter allows the organization to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation and focus its resources on its mission of providing high-quality care to patients. “MultiCare is confident in the quality of care provided to our patients and the clinical decision-making of our providers,” said Bill Robertson, CEO of MultiCare. “MultiCare vigorously litigated the government’s allegations for nearly two years. The record that developed during that process speaks for itself. We are pleased to have resolved this matter and remain focused on delivering high-quality care to the communities we serve.”Under the terms of the settlement, MultiCare will pay the United States and the State of Washington a total amount of $3.728 million.
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