San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/12/2018 -- The Whistleblower Institute announces that Banner Health reached a $18 million settlement in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former employee over knowingly submitting false claims to Medicare.

Those who have a similar case or experienced a similar situation or any other wrongdoing within a corporation have certain options and should contact the Whistleblower Institute at mail@whistleblowerinstitute.com or call: 619-452–1218. There are no costs or obligations to you.

Banner Health will pay more than $18 million to settle allegations that 12 of its hospitals in Arizona and Colorado knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare by admitting patients who could have been treated on a less costly outpatient basis.

According to the government, from November 1, 2007 through December 31, 2016, Banner Health allegedly billed Medicare for "short-stay, inpatient procedures" performed at the 12 hospitals that should have been billed on a less costly outpatient basis. The government also alleged that Banner Health inflated in the number of hours for which patients received outpatient observation care in their reports to Medicare.

"Taxpayers should not bear the burden of inpatient services that patients do not need," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler for the Justice Department's Civil Division. "The Department will continue its efforts to stop abuses of the nation's health care resources and to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate care."

Reportedly, Banner Health entered into a corporate integrity agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General that requires the system to retain an independent review organization to evaluate the accuracy of the company's claims for services to federal healthcare program beneficiaries.

The settlement doesn't involve any findings of wrongdoing on Banner's part, said Becky Armendariz, senior director of marketing and public relations for the Phoenix-based health system.

The whistleblower, Cecilia Guardiola, a former Banner employee, share of the settlement will be approximately $3.3 million.

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Banner Health provides emergency care, hospital care, hospice, lab and pharmacies.

The Whistleblower Institute is an information portal for current or former employees and other people having insight information about wrongdoing and other illegal activities by individuals either individually or within corporations, through company culture and or within international affairs. Whistleblowers should keep in mind that under the Dodd-Frank Act any person who provides the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") with original information that leads to a successful enforcement action with over $1 million recovered must be awarded between 10%-30% of the total amount recovered. In order to determine the total amount of the reward there are numerous factors that need to be considered. Whistleblower actions are complex and our goal is to guide any whistleblower every step of the way. The Whistleblower Institute is dedicated to partnering with any individual who have information about fraud and we work with many of the best law firms worldwide.

Those who have a similar case or experienced a similar situation or any other wrongdoing within a corporation have certain options and should contact the Whistleblower Institute.

Contact:
Whistleblower Institute
2534 State Street - Suite 406
San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Phone: +1 (619) 452–1218
Facsimile: +1 (619) 785 – 3185
Email: mail@whistleblowerinstitute.com

The material was prepared by the Whistleblower Institute for informational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. The information is provided only as general information which may or may not reflect the most currently available public information, is not provided as a basis for any established or existing relationship, and is not intended to constitute legal or financial advice, or to substitute for obtaining such advice from an attorney or other advisor licensed in your state.