August 6th, 2012
DOJ Investigating Interventional Cardiology Services at HCA
Larry Husten, PHD
The hospital giant HCA has disclosed that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami is investigating the company and has “requested information on reviews assessing the medical necessity of interventional cardiology services provided at any Company facility (other than peer reviews).” Following its own preliminary investigation, the company said it was aware of such reviews in about 10 of its hospitals, most of which are located in Florida. The company said it did not know the full extent or nature of the investigation. (The disclosure can be found on page 16 of the company’s quarterly report.)
In a likely related development, HCA also announced that the New York Times “may be publishing one or more articles about the company. Based upon its questions, the Times appears to be making broad points concerning patient care provided at our company’s affiliated hospitals.” HCA said the articles may focus on “how physician decisions are made regarding when it is medically necessary to perform cardiac procedures, such as cardiac catheterizations and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).” The company added that the Times may also address “the volume of cardiac catheterizations and PCIs.”
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