Medicare auditors zap Florida hospital

Palm Beach Post, January 9, 2008

One of the causes of the Boca Raton (FL) Community Hospital's stunning $28 million financial loss in 2007 are private auditors hired by the government. These auditors are paid a percentage of any improperly billed Medicare payments. Several Florida hospitals, including Mercy Hospital and Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, have been cited by auditors for overpayments in 2007 as well. Appeals can take up to two years and even if the hospital is eventually proved right, the auditors may still keep their contingency fees.