A former employee from Boulder City (Nev.) Hospital claims she was fired after voicing concern about the hospital's billing, according to a report from The Center for Public Integrity.
Paula Sellers worked in 67-bed Boulder City Hospital's health information department and suspected the hosptial was overcharging Medicare and other payors for emergency room services. She claims hospital bosses told her to "back off" from the issue and then fired her in May when she refused to accept the accuracy of the coding.
The hospital claims Ms. Sellers was fired for refusing to perform her duties and "repeated acts of insubordination," according to the report.
In December 2010, Boulder City Hospital hired Emcare, which provided the hospital with ER physicians and took over coding as part of the contract. Ms. Sellers claims she audited 428 claims in October 2011 and found 353 errors, which could have resulted in penalties from Medicare, Medicaid and other payors.
Emcare said it would not comment on legal matters but has denied wrongdoing in Ms. Sellers' lawsuit. Boulder City Hospital officials did not respond to requests for comment, according to the report.
SEIU Sues Jackson Health, CEO Carlos Migoya For Public Records
Delano Regional Medical Center to Pay $1M in Discrimination Lawsuit
Paula Sellers worked in 67-bed Boulder City Hospital's health information department and suspected the hosptial was overcharging Medicare and other payors for emergency room services. She claims hospital bosses told her to "back off" from the issue and then fired her in May when she refused to accept the accuracy of the coding.
The hospital claims Ms. Sellers was fired for refusing to perform her duties and "repeated acts of insubordination," according to the report.
In December 2010, Boulder City Hospital hired Emcare, which provided the hospital with ER physicians and took over coding as part of the contract. Ms. Sellers claims she audited 428 claims in October 2011 and found 353 errors, which could have resulted in penalties from Medicare, Medicaid and other payors.
Emcare said it would not comment on legal matters but has denied wrongdoing in Ms. Sellers' lawsuit. Boulder City Hospital officials did not respond to requests for comment, according to the report.
More Articles on Hospitals and Lawsuits:
University of Wisconsin Hospitals, Physicians Plus Agreement Puts End to LawsuitSEIU Sues Jackson Health, CEO Carlos Migoya For Public Records
Delano Regional Medical Center to Pay $1M in Discrimination Lawsuit