The “60 Minutes” report alleged inappropriate activity at hospitals owned by HMA, including inaccurate billing to Medicare and Medicaid and inpatient admissions quotas placed on emergency department physicians. HMA officials said the report relied on disgruntled former employees currently involved in litigation with the company.
Bayfront Medical signed a letter of intent with HMA in October to form a strategic partnership. Under the deal, St. Petersburg-based Bayfront Health would operate the medical center with HMA. The medical center would become the regional flagship hospital for HMA’s hospital network.
According to the report, accusations against HMA have caused Bayfront Medical to ask questions about HMA and its practices. According to Steven Dupre, vice chairman of Bayfront Medical’s board of trustees, the board wants to ensure it is not partnering with a “trickster” even though HMA has been upfront about the accusations and outstanding legal cases.
In its official statement, HMA said that “60 Minutes” found no issues with care quality at any of its hospitals, and it also “failed to identify a single patient who had been inappropriately admitted from any of the company’s emergency rooms, including by the physicians interviewed.” Furthermore, the company gave “60 Minutes” data showing average inpatient admission from its EDs since January 2008, which showed national norms.
More Articles on Bayfront Medical Center & HMA:
Health Management Associates Defends ED Practices Ahead of “60 Minutes” Story
Bayfront Medical Center to Join Health Management Associates, Affiliate with Shands HealthCare
USF Health CEO Disagrees With Bayfront Health, HMA Affiliation
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