DOJ Reaches Settlements With 51 Hospitals In Final Stage Of False Claims Investigation
The Justice Department was looking into the overuse of implantable cardiac defibrillators, which cost about $25,000. San Francisco-based Dignity Health and its 18 affiliated hospitals were among the 508 total number of institutions involved in the probe. Dignity will pay $5.9 million over the billing allegations.
Modern Healthcare:
Feds Wrap Up National Probe Into Cardiac Devices; 51 More Hospitals Settle
nother 51 hospitals will pay the government to get out from under a federal probe into the suspected overuse of implantable cardiac defibrillators. The U.S. Justice Department said the settlements announced Wednesday, which tally to $23 million, mark the “final stage” of the far-reaching investigation. More than 500 hospitals in all have settled with the government in connection with the investigation. (Schencker, 2/17)
CBS:
Dignity Health Pays $5.9M To Settle False Claims Act Allegations
San Francisco-based Dignity Health settled with the U.S. Department of Justice for $5.9 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they improperly billed Medicare for implantation of cardiac devices, Justice Department officials announced Wednesday. Dignity Health, and its 18 affiliated hospitals were among the most recent batch of 51 hospitals nationwide to settle with the Justice Department. In 2015, the department settled with 457 hospitals for more than $250 million. The final 51 hospitals will pay the Justice Department more than $23 million. (Albarazi, 2/17)
In other news, California, as one of two states that allow whistle-blowers to file lawsuits alleging fraud against private insurers, might see an increase in such cases —
Modern Healthcare:
Lawsuits Filed Under California, Illinois Insurer Fraud Laws May Increase
California got a $3.1-million piece of the settlement pie when drugmaker Warner Chilcott agreed to pay the federal government $125 million in October over allegations it defrauded Medicare and Medicaid. But the state did much better in a second, lesser known settlement with the drugmaker just two months later. It got $11.8 million. (Schencker, 2/17)