Kansas Firm To Pay $6.1 Million Medicare Settlement

Associated Press - Thu 04:38 PM 06/21/2012

Deal results from a whistleblower lawsuit first filed more than six years ago

The U.S. Justice Department says a Kansas hospice care provider and its Texas-based parent company have agreed to pay $6.1 million to settle allegations they submitted false claims to the Medicare program.

The settlement with Wichita-based Hospice Care of Kansas LLC and Fort Worth-based Voyager HospiceCare Inc. was announced Thursday.

The deal results from a whistleblower lawsuit first filed more than six years ago by Beverly Landis, a Hospice Care of Kansas nurse. Landis will receive $1.34 million under provisions of the federal False Claims Act.

The government alleged the companies submitted false Medicare claims between 2004 and 2008 for patients who did not have prognoses of six months or less to live - a requirement for the benefits.

An attorney for Landis, David White, says his client feels vindicated by the settlement.

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notjomamma

Friday 22 June 2012 03:35 Report this comment

This is just the beginning. A whole can of worms can be opened up about for-profit hospices and how they operate. People need to do research before selecting such services. Just go ahead and stick with your hometown, not-for-profit hospice. Here in Salina, and surrounding communities is Hospice of Salina with a beautiful facility available for short-term stay if needed! And a wonderful Homecare team to care for your loved one comfortably in their own home! Support you local, community hospice. Put these overpaid weasels out of business!!!!

GetAGrip

Friday 22 June 2012 07:45 Report this comment

So very true, Hospice of Salina is a very caring facility. I say this based on first hand knowledge. I fully support this community hospice. For profit corporations can be greedy ripoff's as in this case, and need to be shut down or closely monitored.