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# Optical Lens Maker Pays $16.4 Million Over False Claims
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/optical-lens-maker-pays-16-4-million-over-false-claims/
- Published: 2022-08-23T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T17:56:53.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5152574

Essilor International (Dallas, TX) has agreed to pay $16.4 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by paying eye care providers to order and purchase its optical lenses and equipment used to produce optical lenses. “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,” a government [release](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/essilor-agrees-pay-164-million-resolve-alleged-false-claims-act-liability-paying-kickbacks?ref=fdaweb.com) says. The violations were raised in a whistleblower lawsuit brought by three former company sales managers.

As part of the settlement, Essilor entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with HHS that requires it to hire an independent review organization to review its systems, policies, processes and procedures for ensuring that any discounts, rebates, or other reductions in price offered to providers comply with the anti-kickback statute. The CIA also requires the company to implement a new written review and approval process to ensure all existing and new discount arrangements comply with the statute.