Healthcare FMV Advisors News & Updates

CAYUGA MEDICAL CENTER OF ITHACA, NEW YORK SETTLES WHISTLEBLOWER HEALTH CARE LAWSUIT FOR $3.5 MILLION

kbairstow@healthcarefmvadvisors.com — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:04:00 GMT

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK— United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced that his office has settled a False Claims Act matter involving allegations that Cayuga Medical Center
of Ithaca, New York, submitted false claims to Medicare and Medicaid in connection with improper physician recruitment agreements entered into between Cayuga Medical Center and various medical practices. The State of New York also participated in the settlement. Under the terms of the
agreement, Cayuga Medical Center agreed to pay a total sum of $3,576,056.00. Of that amount, the State of New York will receive $426,305.00, and federal health care programs will recover $3,149,751.00.More...

After it self-disclosed conduct to the OIG, City Hospital, Inc., The Charles Town General Hospital d/b/a Jefferson Memorial Hospital, and West Virginia University Hospitals-East, Inc. (collectively respondents), West Virginia, agreed to pay $949,595 for a

kbairstow@healthcarefmvadvisors.com — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:32:00 GMT

The OIG alleged that the respondents entered into several arrangements with physicians or physician groups for which the hospitals failed to collect office rental payments. The conduct included: (1) payments of costs and expenses pursuant to recruitment agreements in excess of the actual additional incremental costs; (2) payment of student loans without a written recruitment agreement; and (3) payment of costs and expenses pursuant to unwritten extensions of recruitment agreements.

After it self-disclosed conduct to the OIG, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center (GSHMC), New York, agreed to pay $55,018.50 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law provisions applicable to physician self-referrals and kickbacks.

kbairstow@healthcarefmvadvisors.com — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:42:00 GMT

The OIG alleged that GSHMC entered into an improper financial relationship with a physician professional corporation. The contract did not specify the terms of the intended agreement and the physician profession corporation received accelerated payments from GSHMC that did not comply with contractually agreed to payments. The payments were not consistent with fair market value.

After it self-disclosed conduct to the OIG, St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center (St. Catherine), New York, agreed to pay $2,596,014 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law provisions applicable to physician self-referrals and kickbacks.

kbairstow@healthcarefmvadvisors.com — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:40:00 GMT

The OIG alleged that St. Catherine contracted with a physician owned professional services company. The company received remuneration that was not consistent with fair market value and received payments for services that were not performed under the contract.

After it self-disclosed conduct to the OIG, County of Monterey d/b/a Natividad Medical Center (NMC), California, agreed to pay $174,508.46 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law provisions applicable to physician self-referrals and kickb

kbairstow@healthcarefmvadvisors.com — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:30:00 GMT

The OIG alleged that NMC entered into a professional medical services agreement with a physician group for certain call coverage and clinic services. The compensation terms of the agreement offered incentives for the physician group to refer their private practice and medically indigent adult patients to NMC.

After it self-disclosed conduct to the OIG, Westfields Hospital, Wisconsin, agreed to pay $204,150 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law provisions applicable to physician self-referrals and kickbacks.

kbairstow@healthcarefmvadvisors.com — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:28:00 GMT

The OIG alleged that Westfields Hospital provided space, services, and supplies to certain physician group practices without entering into a formal written contract and without collecting payment.

Ohio Valley hospitals fined $3.8M

kbairstow@healthcarefmvadvisors.com — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:04:00 GMT

WHEELING - After making false Medicare and Medicaid claims from 2005 to 2010, Ohio Valley Health Services and Education Corp. will pay $3.8 million in federal fines.More...

U.S. Joined False Claims Act Lawsuit Against Florida’s Halifax Hospital Medical Center and Halifax Staffing Inc.

kbairstow@healthcarefmvadvisors.com — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:59:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – The United States has partially intervened in a lawsuit under the False Claims Act against Halifax Hospital Medical Center and Halifax Staffing Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the Department of Justice announced today.

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After it self-disclosed conduct to the OIG, Whidbey Island Hospital District (WIHD), Washington, agreed to pay $858,571 for allegedly violating the Civil Monetary Penalties Law provisions applicable to physician self-referrals and kickbacks.

kbairstow@healthcarefmvadvisors.com — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:26:00 GMT

The OIG alleged that WIHD had over 100 violations surrounding various physician contracts and arrangements. Some of the violations included: (1) a number of hospitalist contracts had expired and new contracts had not been signed; (2) there were no written agreements in place for a number of medical staff leadership and call coverage arrangements; and (3) a variety of improper lease arrangements, personal service arrangements, malpractice subsidies, and a housing allowance and an equipment loan with one physician.

Medicare Fraud Strike Force Charges 91 Individuals for Approximately $295 Million in False Billing

kbairstow@healthcarefmvadvisors.com — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:55:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that a nationwide takedown by Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in eight cities has resulted in charges against 91 defendants, including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $295 million in false billing.

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