MDNews - Greater Kansas

WICHITA CARDIOLOGIST, COFFEY HEALTH SYSTEM SETTLE MEDICAL FRAUD LAWSUITS Wichita cardiologist Joseph Galichia, MD, has agreed to pay $5.8 mil- lion to settle a false claims lawsuit that alleges he billed federal health programs for unnecessary medical procedures. In an unrelated case, the Coffey Health System agreed to pay $250,000 to settle a lawsuit that alleges it violated the False Claims Act by falsely reporting it had done security risk analyses on its electronic records system, which is required when filing claims for a federal incentive payment program. Dr. Galichia denied the allegations in a written statement, according to The Wichita Eagle. The lawsuit alleged he had surgically implanted dozens of "medically unnecessary and unreasonable" heart stents in at least 14 Kansas patients between 2008 to 2014, the Eagle article said. Some patients had multiple stents, as many as 20 to 35 stents each. Medicare and other federal health programs were billed for the procedures, with Dr. Galichia and his medical group receiving between $10,000 to $11,000 for each stent. This recent settlement was the third and highest settlement be - tween Dr. Galichia, his medical group and the federal government. The other settlements were in 2000 and 2009, with respective payments of $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit for overbilling and double billing of services or charging for procedures not performed and $1.3 million for billing for services not provided or not properly documented. In the Coffey Health System settlement, the federal government alleged that the system had falsely attested that it conducted and/or reviewed security risk analyses of patient electronic health records as required under a federal incentive program for the reporting periods of 2012 and 2013. The health system operates a 25-bed critical access hospital in Burlington, Kansas. Under the American Recovering and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offers incentive payments to healthcare providers that adopt certified EHR technology and meet certain requirements relating to their use of the technol - ogy. To obtain the payments, providers must attest that they satisfy applicable HHS-adopted criteria, including measures for analyzing and addressing security risks to electronic health records. Both lawsuits were the result of whistleblower actions; the indi - viduals who filed the suits on behalf of the government will share in the settlements. EDWARDS COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER RECEIVES HEALTHY KANSAS HOSPITALS CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE AWARD In 2018, Edwards County Medical Center in Kinsley created a Worksite Wellness Committee charged to provide employees with the tools and resources to improve their health. Policy changes and incentives for employee participation have produced tangible results, and employ - ees are enjoying healthier food and beverage options and using the on-site fitness center more frequently. In recognition of the hospital's work to reduce sugary beverages, offer more fresh fruits and lean meat options, provide healthier snacks and flavored waters in the vending machine, and incentivize physical activity, the Kansas Hospital Association has presented one of two 2019 Healthy Kansas Hospitals Centers of Excellence Awards to Edwards County Medical Center. Representatives of the Worksite Wellness Committee at Edwards County Medical Center (left to right): Jorden Sones, Brandi Wheaton, Jim Hansel, CEO, Monique Funk, Lisa Stuckey and Celeste Schroetlin "It is humbling to receive this award," says Jim Hansel, Chief Executive Officer. "We didn't initiate our wellness focus for the purpose of winning an award. Promoting wellness is part of serving our community. The award and a monetary contribution to help support the hospi - tal's wellness activities were presented during a special recognition ceremony on June 7 at the hospital. "We are honored to be recognized with this award," Hansel says. "We want to be sure our employees are healthy — physically and mentally. Our employees are here to take care of people in the community, so the hospital needs to take care of its staff members. "There are very few things you can invest in that are more important than people," he adds. "We're creating a partnership with our employ - ees by showing we care. As a result, we've seen a tremendous decline in employee turnover. We have built a lot of trust." Working closely with the Edwards County Health Organization, the hos - pital also has implemented several health improvement initiatives for the community, including tobacco use cessation, bicycle safety awareness — with an emphasis on wearing helmets — and physical activity events. "The hospital should be a role model for the community, and through our wellness activities and policy changes, we are trying to set a posi - tive example," Hansel says. Worksite Wellness Committee Co-chair Brandi Wheaton said her group's focus was on making employees enjoy working at the hospital. "It's nice to see our hard work recognized," the physical therapy as - sistant says. While meeting some resistance initially with the decrease of pop, chips and candy options in the vending machine, employees, patients and visitors now enjoy flavored water options, nuts and protein bars. With a goal of reducing sugary options by 50%, Wheaton reports that "about 65% to 75% of the vending machine options are healthier," and when the healthy options are sold out, people ask when the machine will be refilled. "I'm really proud of the staff, especially the ones who have taken leadership roles in implementing the Worksite Wellness Program," Hansel says. Leaders of the wellness initiative include Brandi Burkhart, a medical laboratory technician; Jacobs; and Wheaton. Continued on page 20. NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S G R E AT E R K A N S A S ■ 2 019 H O S P I T A L R O U N D S ❰❰❰❰❰ 0 5

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