University of Mississippi Medical Center Settles Case Involving a Patient Dumping Allegation

On January 6, 2016, The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), in Jackson, Mississippi, entered into a $50,000 settlement agreement with OIG. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that UMMC failed to accept the appropriate transfer of a 64-year-old women who needed specialized capabilities of UMMC's hospital to stabilize her emergency medical condition. OIG's investigation revealed that the operator at UMMC refused the request to transfer the patient because of a UMMC policy that it would not accept the transfer of Louisiana residents. Under EMTALA, hospitals can be fined up to $50,000 per violation. Senior Counsel Sandra Sands represented OIG.

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