The California Department of Public Health has dismissed cases related to the diagnosis and coding of septicemia at Prime Healthcare hospitals, but referred the data to fraud officials for further examination, according to a Sacramento Bee report.
The findings have been forwarded to the Medi-Cal program auditors and the Health and Human Services Inspector General. Kathleen Billingsley, deputy director of the Department of Public Health, said these agencies are responsible for looking at billing issues.
Prime has denied fraud, saying the rate of septicemia is higher because Prime facilities treat much sicker patients. The system has also said the issue was the result of "baseless accusations" by Service Employees International Union.
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The findings have been forwarded to the Medi-Cal program auditors and the Health and Human Services Inspector General. Kathleen Billingsley, deputy director of the Department of Public Health, said these agencies are responsible for looking at billing issues.
Prime has denied fraud, saying the rate of septicemia is higher because Prime facilities treat much sicker patients. The system has also said the issue was the result of "baseless accusations" by Service Employees International Union.
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