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Memorial Health Care System Agreed to Pay $97,000 for Allegedly Violating Patient Dumping Statute by Failing to Provide Appropriate Medical Screening Examination

On November 19, 2024, Memorial Health Care System, Inc. (Memorial), Chattanooga, Tennessee, entered into a $97,500 settlement agreement with OIG. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that Memorial violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Based on its investigation, OIG concluded that in December 2021, Memorial failed to provide an appropriate medical screening examination to a known diabetic patient. Specifically, approximately 10 minutes after arriving at the Emergency Department (ED) requesting examination, Memorial’s employee had a verbal altercation with the patient that resulted in the patient being escorted out of Memorial’s ED less than 10 minutes later, by law enforcement, and without a medical screening exam. Senior Counsel Julie Redlinger represented OIG.

Action Details

  • Date:November 19, 2024
  • Enforcement Types:
    • CMP and Affirmative Exclusions,
    • EMTALA/Patient Dumping