Connecticut Hospital Agrees to $191,193 Civil Settlement with Fed

eduTrax News Service -- Feb. 28, 2010.

JOHNSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ENTERS INTO $191,193 FEDERAL CIVIL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

The US Attorney's Office District of Connecticut published a Press Release on February 22, 2010, announcing that JOHNSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, Stafford Springs, Connecticut, entered into a civil settlement agreement with the Government. The hospital did not admit liability in the case, but agreed to pay $191,193 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act.

The allegations against the hospital involved charges to Medicare for infusion therapy, chemotherapy administration and blood transfusion services between 2000 and 2005.  During this time period, Medicare only allowed payment for one unit of infusion therapy and chemotherapy administration per patient visit, and one unit of blood transfusion service per day.  However, on many occasions, the government claimed that the hospital billed Medicare for between two and eight units of these services.

To resolve its liability under the False Claims Act, JOHNSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL will pay $191,193, in order to reimburse the Medicare program.

This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was prosecuted by the US Attorney's Office District of Connecticut.

See the Press Release HERE.

This settlement is just one of several settlements reached in past months with hospitals and physician practices:

OIG Enters Into $2 Million Civil Monetary Penalty Settlement With Radiology Practice (PDF)

OIG Enters Into Civil Monetary Penalties Settlement With Former Hospital Executive Director (PDF)

OIG Reports $20.97 Billion in Savings and Recoveries in FY 2009 (PDF)