The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati has agreed to settle a federal whistleblower suit alleging that the hospital ran a kickback scheme with physicians to funnel patients to its cardiac care center.
Officials with The Christ Hospital admitted no guilt in the settlement, which could cost in the range of $100 million.
Glenn Whitaker, the attorney for plaintiff Harry Fry, MD, a retired cardiologist who filed the whistleblower suit in 2003, says the settlement could be in the range of $100 million, and Fry could collect up to 25% of the settlement.
Christ Hospital and Health Alliance—also named in the suit—are still finalizing the settlement deal with the government, and while financial figures have not yet been released, Cincinnati Enquirer Cliff Peale cites a figure of approximately $100 million and quotes Fry's lawyer as hinting that a "substantial payment" will end up going to Fry: "It's going to be a big number."
In a statement sent to heartwire, Christ Hospital spokesperson Heather Adkins said the hospital could not comment on the terms of the settlement until it is finalized.
"While we continue to disagree with the government's allegations that the assignment of physicians to our cardiac testing station resulted in the inducement of local cardiologists to refer patients to the hospital, we decided to contribute to the joint settlement agreement with the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati instead of risking a potential catastrophic judgment that could jeopardize our ability to provide service to this community," the statement reads.
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