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Government joins more whistle-blower suits against HCA

From CNN'sTerry Frieden at the Justice Department

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In the latest chapter of a long-running and massive legal battle, the Justice Department announced Friday it has filed civil complaints in eight whistle-blower lawsuits against HCA, the nation's largest hospital chain.

The government complaints allege HCA systematically defrauded hundreds of millions of dollars from Medicare, Medicaid and other federally funded health care programs.

The government's action comes three months after federal prosecutors reached a partial settlement with HCA in which the healthcare company agreed to pay $745 million to settle several other claims, mostly dealing with allegedly fraudulent billing practices. HCA also agreed to pay $95 million in criminal fines in the December settlement.

The Justice Department says the new lawsuits it has joined deal with kickbacks to physicians and inflated cost reports.

In a brief written response, HCA said, "These actions do not introduce any new suits or new legal theories." The Nashville-based healthcare company said it is continuing to engage in what in called "good faith discussions" with the government.

HCA said the Justice Department announcement shows that of the original 30 whistle-blower suits, the government remains active in only eight. "These all fall within the remaining open civil areas which have been under discussion with the government: cost reports and physician relationships," HCA said.

Government lawyers refused to disclose the total estimated damages associated with the new complaints.

The government did not embrace all of the remaining whistleblower cases against HCA, which have now been consolidated before a federal judge in Washington. The government said December's settlement will resolve or partially resolve some of the 28 lawsuits. And the government said it has asked for the dismissal of the claims of five of the whistle-blowers.

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