Hendricks Community Hospital (Hendricks), Minnesota, agreed to pay $20,000 to resolve its liability for Civil Monetary Penalties under the patient dumping statute. The OIG alleged that Hendricks failed to provide a medical screening examination and stabilization treatment to a patient that presented to its emergency department. The patient previously had surgery at another hospital and was in serious pain, could not urinate, and needed a catheter placement. An emergency department physician instructed hospital staff to tell the patient he would need to seek treatment at the hospital where his surgery was performed. Hendricks provided no screening or treatment for the patient, even though the patient’s pain level was such that it was difficult for him to ambulate.
The above summary is taken from the OIG official website. In each CMP case resolved through a settlement agreement, the settling party has contested the OIG’s allegations and denied any liability. No CMP judgment or finding of liability has been made against the settling party.