Louisiana hospital settles case for $3.3 million

A nurse at West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrero, LA, was responsible for bringing attention to allegedly fraudulent Medicaid claims that have resulted in a $3.3 million settlement with the state and federal government. Leslie Klemm was identified in the settlement agreement as the private citizen who sued the hospital district over allegations it overcharged Medicaid by about $1.49 million, stemming from charges made by her unit. Klemm alleged that the hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit led Medicaid to believe it could perform certain services that it did not have the capability to provide, officials said.