$1.3M Settlement With Asbury Health Center Resolves False Claims Act Allegations

PITTSBURGH - Asbury Health Center, a continuing-care retirement community located in Pittsburgh, has agreed to pay the United States $1,331,837.96 to settle False Claims Act allegations, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The settlement results from a self-disclosure by Asbury to the United States Attorney’s Office and Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services concerning Medicare payments for skilled nursing facility services. For post-hospital skilled nursing care, Medicare regulations require that a facility obtain a physician certification at the time of admission or as soon thereafter as reasonable and practical. The facility must also obtain a physician recertification within 14 days of admission and every 30 days thereafter. Based on information provided by Asbury, the United States alleged that it had civil claims against Asbury resulting from Medicare payments for post-hospital skilled nursing services that were not supported by physician certifications and recertifications. The settlement resolves the matter without the filing of litigation.

This matter was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. Assistant United States Attorney David Lew handled this matter on behalf of the United States.