Biogen will pay $900 million over kickback allegations

Cambridge-based Biogen will pay $900 million to settle allegations that it paid doctors to prescribe its drugs.

A federal lawsuit claims the company over-billed Medicare and Medicaid insurance programs when it gave kickbacks to doctors who prescribed its medications.

The allegations came to light when a former Biogen employee reported that between 2009 and 2014, the company paid doctors to prescribe its multiple sclerosis drugs over its competitors, which is a violation of federal law.

While Biogen agreed to pay the settlement, it has not admitted wrongdoing.