A settlement has been reached to resolve False Claims Act allegations against Catholic Health System Inc.
The allegations arose from a lawsuit that claimed Catholic Health System Inc subsidiary Home & Community Based Care submitted false claims to government health care programs.
According to the government, Home & Community Based Care (formerly known as Continuing Care) allegedly submitted or caused to be submitted false claims to Medicare for rehabilitation therapy services from January 2007 through December 2014. The claims involved both long- and short-term skilled nursing care. The nursing home subsidiary allegedly submitted claims to Medicare for the highest and most expensive levels of therapy when that type of therapy was not medically necessary or was unsupported by medical records.
“A healthcare system that is infected with dishonesty is susceptible to one of the worst afflictions known to mankind—human greed,” said Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. “Today’s settlement demonstrates our unwavering commitment to eradicating this cancer from our federal health care programs.”
The allegations were brought forward by a whistleblower under the False Claims Act, which allows private citizens to bring lawsuits on behalf of the United Sates and receive part of the proceeds of a settlement.