Justice sues Columbia/HCA for false Medicare claims

In the latest chapter of the government’s crackdown on fraud, the U.S. Department of Justice announced recently it had filed suit against Columbia/HCA Healthcare and Quorum Health Group for alleged false Medicare claims.

The action follows the Justice Department’s decision last fall to join a whistle-blower lawsuit brought against the companies. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Tampa. Justice Department spokesman Chris Watney says the suit alleges that 220 Columbia/HCA hospital and 34 Quorum Health Group facilities committed fraudulent billing practices.

Once it filed suit, the government requested a stay in the case against Columbia/HCA because the parties had been discussing a settlement.