Chemed Corporation Announces Receipt of False Claims Action Complaint

CINCINNATI--()--Chemed Corporation ("Chemed") (NYSE:CHE). On May 2, 2013, the government filed a False Claims Act complaint against the Company and certain of its hospice-related subsidiaries in the Western District of Missouri, captioned as United States of America v. VITAS Hospice Services, LLC, et al., Case #4:13-cv-00449-BCW. The complaint alleges that, since at least 2002, Vitas, and since 2004, the Company, submitted or caused the submission of false claims to the Medicare program by (a) billing Medicare for crisis care services when the patients were not eligible, the services were not provided, or the medical care was inappropriate, and (b) admitting patients who were not eligible for the Medicare hospice benefit because they did not have a life expectancy of six months or less if their illnesses ran their normal course. The complaint seeks treble damages, statutory penalties, and the costs of the action, plus interest.

Chemed and VITAS have made significant investments in controls, systems and procedures to uphold the highest industry standards and to maintain compliance with all regulatory requirements. Our compliance efforts are designed to ensure our services are provided only to eligible patients.

Chemed and VITAS intend to defend this lawsuit vigorously.

Contacts

Chemed Corporation
David P. Williams, 513-762-6901

Contacts

Chemed Corporation
David P. Williams, 513-762-6901