The settlement resolved allegations that Crossroads Hospice knowingly submitting false claims to Medicare for services for patients who were not terminally ill, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of Ohio.
“Medicare’s hospice benefit provides critical end of life services that focus on palliative rather than curative care,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement demonstrates our continuing commitment to ensure that hospice services are provided to patients who truly need this care and that patients who are not terminally ill receive appropriate curative care.”
The facilities reportedly billed Medicare for hospice patients diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease who weren’t terminally ill from 2012 through 2014.
Medicare patients are considered to be terminally ill and eligible for hospice when their life expectancy is six months or less, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“This office is committed to pursuing providers who put profits ahead of patients,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Vipal J. Patel for the Southern District of Ohio. “We will continue to hold accountable those who abuse federal healthcare programs at the expense of the taxpayers.”
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