Pediatrix Medical Group- Medical con artist

From the Sun-Sentinel

Sunrise-based Pediatrix Medical Group Inc. and the U.S. Department of Justice have finalized an agreement to settle a government investigation into the company's Medicaid and TRICARE billings for neonatal care.

Pediatrix, without admitting liability, will pay the federal government $25 million. Some $9.5 million of that will go to several states in amounts proportional to billings under the government programs between 1996 and 1999, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

"In this case, Pediatrix billed the government for critical care services when in fact the infants were not critically ill," U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein of Maryland said in a written statement. While most of the infants were covered by Medicaid, some qualified for care under the military insurance plan called TRICARE.

The case stemmed from a 2002 civil suit filed in Maryland by a board-certified neonatologist, Daniel Hall of Colorado. Because the U.S. government intervened and reached a settlement, Hall will receive $1.6 million.

U.S. attorneys in Maryland and Colorado took the lead in the investigation, augmented by Medicaid fraud control units in North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey and Maryland.

Pediatrix had set aside money to pay for the settlement, and the agreed-upon amount will not affect 2006 operating results, company spokesman Bob Kneeley said.

Just one more example of thieves masquerading as medical providers. A rare week don't go by without someone being charged with fraud. Usually involving medicare and medicaid. Pediatrix was taking care of TriCare, the medical insurance for military servicemen and their families. Bunch of crooks, you don't settle with the government if you're honest.

This kind of thievery happens at almost any level of the medical system. From the biggest medical school in the country to a local testing facility. No TFM isn't advocating nationalized medicine. I'm just saying I will rarely trust a bill issued by those in the medical field. They know the little guy is more likely not to fight, and even if they do at least the company or provider doesn't face any thing more than an apology. Trying to play the same game with State or local governments is too risky but some still play that game. How many get away with it is unknown.

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