A Tampa Bay area doctor has agreed to pay $400,000 to resolve allegations that he billed Medicare for varicose vein injections and weight-loss counseling performed by unqualified staffers, including his office manager, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday. Dr. Ravi Sharma, who is board certified in thoracic surgery, owns Premier Vein Center in Homosassa and used to own Life's Image, a weight-loss center that is now closed. In the past, he practiced medicine in Pasco County and had privileges at Tampa General Hospital and Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville. The federal case against him stemmed from a whistle-blower complaint filed by a former office manager in January 2012.
