Jackson Purchase Medical Center

Medical center to pay almost $1 million for false billing

MAYFIELD, KY (KFVS) - The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services and Attorney David J. Hale announced Monday, Jackson Purchase Medical Center has entered into a settlement to pay $998,770.74 to settle allegations that they submitted false claims.

According to the settlement agreement, the United States contends that the medical center inappropriately submitted additional charges to Medicare for certain gallbladder and biliary tract procedures including: Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy or Lap Chole.

The U.S. alleges specifically that Jackson Purchase Medical Center submitted additional charges for these procedures as inpatient admissions when they should have been billed as outpatient admissions.

The settlement said the over-billing happened between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2010.

The money will be paid by electronic funds transfer no later than July 7, 2011.

According to Attorney Hale, this matter was brought up after a beneficiary reported to Medicare that after reading her explanation of benefits, Jackson Purchase had incorrectly billed her time at the hospital as inpatient admission instead of an outpatient admission.

The medical center has also agreed to enter into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Officer of Counsel to the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Hale said the agreement is not an admission of liability by the medical center nor a concession by the U.S. that its claims are not well founded.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Schecter and was investigated by AdvanceMed Corporation, Medicare's program safeguard contractor.

Fred Pelle Appointed Jackson Purchase Medical CEO - West Kentucky ...

MAYFIELD, KY - Jackson Purchase Medical Center (JPMC) announced today that Fred L. Pelle, FACHE, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective July 11, 2011. 

“We are fortunate to have Fred joining the team at JPMC,” said Tom Weiss, president of the Continental Division of LifePoint Hospitals®, a leading hospital company focused on providing quality healthcare services close to home. “He is a seasoned veteran of the healthcare industry, with a proven track record of leading hospitals in the delivery of high-quality medical care; supporting physicians in their quest for everyday excellence; and developing work environments that encourage employee satisfaction. I am confident that Fred is the right person to lead JPMC forward in the future.”

“After a comprehensive national search for a permanent CEO, I couldn’t be happier to announce Fred Pelle’s appointment. The hospital operations experience and expertise he’ll bring to our organization is second to none,” said JPMC Board Chair Dr. Gerald Russell. “I feel certain that Fred will also be an excellent addition to the Mayfield community.” 

A 24-year veteran of the healthcare industry, Pelle comes to JPMC from Wellmont Health System, where he served as president of both Hawkins County Memorial Hospital and Hancock County Hospital in East Tennessee. During his nine-year tenure with Wellmont, he was credited with successfully recruiting numerous physicians; developing a hospitalist program; and driving dozens of performance improvement efforts, resulting in significant improvements in quality measures and employee and physician satisfaction levels. 

Prior to this, Pelle served as chief operating officer (COO) of HCA Palmyra Medical Center (Albany, Ga.); vice president, Operations, of Medical Center of Bowling Green (Ky.); and COO of Trover Regional Medical Center (Madisonville, Ky.) and Southeast Alabama Medical Center (Dothan, Ala.).

Pelle is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is also a Rotarian and has a history of involvement with the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, and Boys and Girls Club. He holds an M.B.A. from Troy State University (Montgomery, Ala.) and a B.S. from Athens State College (Athens, Ala.).

Pelle, his wife Lisa, and their son Oliver look forward to relocating to the Mayfield community.

Mammography Centers Directory

AHA guide to the health care field

Headquarters USA.

Mccracken Co, Ky History Book

AHA Guide to the Health Care Field, 2003-2004