Urgent care center operator Bloom Care has agreed to pay $3 million to settle allegations that it submitted false claims to federal healthcare programs for medically unnecessary testing and inflated the extent of services performed.
What happened?
- Bloom Care operated urgent care centers in Idaho and New Mexico throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a July 15 Justice Department news release.
- The department alleged that the company knowingly used the pandemic as an excuse to bill medically unnecessary streptococcus and influenza tests for asymptomatic patients.
- The company also allegedly submitted claims for high-level evaluation and management services for COVID-19 patients that it knew should have been billed at a lower level of service. To justify the high reimbursement claims, Bloom allegedly exaggerated the time spent with COVID-19 patients or the complexity of the evaluation required to care for them.
- The claims resolved in the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no admission or determination of liability.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.