El Centro Hospital To Pay Settlement for Fraud Claims

Officials at El Centro Regional Medical Center say the facility has agreed to pay $2.2 million, plus interest, to resolve Department of Justice allegations that the hospital improperly billed Medicare for higher payments related to patient admissions. Hospital CEO David Green said the allegations stem from confusion over rules on reimbursements for inpatient and outpatient visits.

• "El Centro Hospital Pays $2.2 Million in Alleged Medicare Fraud" (Lavelle, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/20).
• "S. Calif. Hospital Pays $2.2M on Fraud Allegations" (AP/Ventura County Star, 9/20).