The second-largest operator of skilled nursing facilities in California is reaching a settlement, resolving charges that it overbilled the government for Medicare services.
Plum Healthcare Group LLC operates Sacramento's McKinley Park Care Center, where the U.S. Attorney's Office says false billing records were created, ultimately bringing the center unwarrantedly high Medicare reimbursements. An agent with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services noted in a prepared statement that not only were taxpayers being stuck with a bill for services not provided, but that health care executives are also guilty of looking the other way when reviewing false claims. The more than $450,000 settlement was dated June 14th, but the announcement was made on Tuesday.
“Medicare participants who fail to voluntarily disclose fraud risk significant consequences,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert. “As this settlement makes clear, knowingly retaining Medicare funds obtained by fraud is itself a violation of the law, and this office is committed to pursuing enforcement actions to remedy this conduct.”