Health First Urgent Care Settles $2.8M Medicare Medicaid Overbilling Case

Health First Urgent Care, operating in Richland and Pasco, reached a $2.8 million settlement to address allegations of fraudulent overbilling of Medicare and Medicaid.

The case involved improper billing practices where panel diagnostic tests for respiratory and urinary conditions were unbundled and billed individually, inflating charges to government health programs. Additionally, claims included billing for costly and medically unnecessary tests, particularly for patients with Covid-19 symptoms.

The investigation was led by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington, the Washington State Attorney General's Office, and the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The settlement underscores ongoing enforcement efforts to maintain compliance and uphold the integrity of federal and state healthcare programs.