Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Justice Department Reaches $250M Settlement With Hospitals Over Cardiac Device Violations
The Associated Press: US Reaches Settlement With 457 Hospitals Over Cardiac Device
Justice Department said Friday that it had reached settlements totaling more than $250 million with hundreds of hospitals where doctors implanted cardiac devices in violation of Medicare coverage requirements. The settlements encompass nearly 500 hospitals in 43 states where cardioverter defibrillators were implanted in Medicare patients too soon after they suffered a heart attack, had heart bypass surgery or angioplasty. (Biesecker, 11/1)
The Associated Press: Illinois Hospitals Part Of $250M Medicare Billing Settlement
Several Illinois hospitals are among nearly 500 around the country involved in a $250 million settlement with the government over Medicare billing for cardiac devices. The U.S. Justice Department said Friday the hospitals weren't eligible for reimbursement for the $25,000 electronic defibrillators because they were implanted in patients too soon after heart attacks or bypass surgery. Billing rules require longer waiting periods to see if heart function improves enough on its own. (10/31)
The Chicago Tribune: Advocate Hospitals Settle Medicare Billing Allegations Over Defibrillators
Downers Grove-based Advocate Health Care has agreed to pay $3 million to settle a federal investigation into alleged overuse of a cardiac device in Medicare patients. The Advocate settlement is one of 70 agreements involving more than 450 hospitals nationwide that the Department of Justice announced Friday. The agency collected more than $250 million on behalf of Medicare. The settlements include no admissions of wrongdoing. (Sachdev, 10/30)
Georgia Health News: Ga. Hospitals Part Of Settlement On Cardiac Implants
More than 450 hospitals, including several in Georgia, will pay a total of more than $250 million to settle allegations that cardiac devices were implanted in Medicare patients in violation of the program’s coverage requirements, the Department of Justice announced Friday. (Miller, 10/30)
Minnesota Public Radio: Allina Health Settles With DOJ Over Medicare Billing
Minneapolis-based Allina Health is among 70 hospital systems nationwide that has settled with the Department of Justice over alleged improper billing of Medicare for surgical procedures. (Zdechlik, 10/30)
