Largest For-Profit Hospice Provider Sued by DOJ for Medicare Fraud

http://homehealthcarenews.com/2013/05/largest-for-profit-hospice-provider-sued-by-doj-for-medicare-fraud/

Chemed Corporation, the largest for-profit hospice chain in the United States, has been accused of fraudulent Medicare billing for hospice and healthcare services—such as crisis care for a patient who was playing bingo part of the time—the Department of Justice announced on Thursday.
The government’s complaint alleges that Chemed and Vitas Hospice Services LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chemed, knowingly submitted or caused the submission of false claims to Medicare for hospice and crisis care services that were either unnecessary, not actually provided, or not performed per Medicare requirements.
The companies were setting goals to bill a certain number of crisis care days to Medicare, according to the complaint, and used “aggressive” marketing tactics, including pressuring staff, to increase the number of these claims—whether or not the services were appropriate or actually provided.
In one instance, Vitas billed three straight days of crisis care for a patient, even though that patient’s medical records have no indication the patient needed crisis care, the complaint says. During one of those days, the patient’s file indicates participation in a bingo game.
The government also alleges that Chemed and Vitas knowingly submitted false claims for hospice care for patients who were not terminally ill. The companies allegedly paid bonuses to staff based on the number of patients enrolled in the program and based on patients who were admitted for longer lengths of stay, according to the Justice Department.
Additionally, “adverse employment actions” were taken against marketing representatives who did not meet hospice enrollment quotas.
These business practices resulted in patients who were ineligible for hospice care being admitted into hospice programs, the complaint alleges. One hospice patient who showed no signs of terminal condition was described in Vitas’ own records as “very healthy given her age,” according to the complaint.
As a result of this conduct, the government contends that Chemed and Vitas violated the False Claims Act and misspent “tens of millions” of taxpayer dollars from the Medicare program.
“The Medicare hospice benefit is intended to provide patients nearing the end of life with pain management and other palliative care to make them as comfortable as possible,” said Stuart F. Delery, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division. “Too often, however, we hear reports of companies that abuse this critical service by using aggressive marketing tactics to push patients into services they don’t need in order to get higher reimbursements from the government.”
Written by Alyssa Gerace

Parent's Night Out!!

October 19, 2012: 7:00p-12:00a


Where? Douglasville Gymnastics & Cheerleading Club

Parent's Night Out this Friday from 7:00p-12:00a!! Pizza, Open Gym & FUN! Cost is $25 and siblings $20. Ages 4 & up. Call ahead to sign up 770-489-2582 or email us at info@douglasvillegymnastics.comHope to see you there!! :)



For more information, contact Kristi at 770-489-2582 or info@douglasvillegymnastics.com.

Fall Business Expo & Health Fair 2012

October 18, 2012: 5-9pm


Where? Douglasville Downtown Conference Center

On Thursday, Oct. 18th from 5pm-9pm The Women's Entrepreneurial Exchange, also known as "WEE", will host its "Fall Business Expo & Health Fair 2012". This event will be held at the Downtown Douglasville Conference Center, 6701 Church Street, Douglasville, Ga. 30134.This will be a fun, entertaining and very informative event for the Douglasville community. This event will encompass the entire area of the Conference Center.We will feature several businesses with health related information, tips and resources that will be made available free to the public. We will offer FREE EYE SCREENINGS and many other services and health tips.Walgreens on Hwy 5 in Douglasville will take a major part in this event by offering flu shots on location for $25.99 with most insurances accepted.We will highlight businesses and business owners with many items available for purchase to get you started with some early holiday shopping. We will offer samples and demonstrations of many of the products on hand.There will also be a cooking demonstration by Elliot Farmer of Farmer's Gourmet Catering, a published chef. He will demo some of his recipes from his new cookbook, "Entertaining with Soul".Performing for us this year will be three of our local Elementary Schools: Arbor Station Show Choir, Burnett Elementary & Eastside Elementary, along with other local groups and talents from our community.

For vendor information contact Trudy Holdman at 678-949-8454 or trudyholdman@yahoo.com.



For more information, contact Trudy Holdman at 678-949-8454 or trudyholdman@yahoo.com.

Special Needs Resource Fair

October 13, 2012: 10am-2pm


Where? LifeGate Church Mirror Lake, 501 Permian Way, Villa Rica, GA. 30

Please join us for a Special Needs Resource Fair. We will be having many vendors & providers as well as classes on special needs trusts, how to prepare & plan for your child's IEP and Social Skills.



For more information, contact Kim Weinreb at 678-517-2273 or kim.weinreb@gmail.com.

Community Blood Drive for the American Red Cross

Community Blood Drive for the American Red Cross, Citizen's Hall, Douglas County Courthouse

County Home

September 27, 2012: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Where? Citizen's Hall, Douglas County Courthouse, 8700 Hospital Drive

Your donation of a pint of blood will help save the lives of up to three people! Please donate every other month (donations allowed every 56 days) during our Community Blood Drives for the American Red Cross in Citizen's Hall of the Douglas County Courthouse.



Blood Drive is from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.



Please call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule your appointment or just walk in!



For more information, contact Wes Tallon at 770.920.7593 or wtallon@co.douglas.ga.us.

http://beyondthefrontporch.org/Home_Page.php

The vision for Beyond the Front Porch is that with enough grant supported funding and support from the communities that we serve, no child that is on free or reduced lunch will have to pay to go on these trips.

Karens Connections

https://picasaweb.google.com/Karen.Swygert/ConnectionsBook2?authuser=0&feat=directlink