MEDICARE, MEDICAID CLAIMS
OCILLA HOSPITAL PAYS $520,000 TO RESOLVE GOV'T ALLEGATIONS
The Hospital Authority of Irwin County has agreed to pay $520,000 to resolve allegations that it caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare and Medicaid.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the civil settlement marks the end of an investigation into alleged violations of the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the Federal Stark Law and related Georgia Medicaid policies. Allegations of the suit concern the amount of compensation paid by the Irwin hospital authority to Dr. Mahendra Amin, the hospital authority's leases with co-defendants and the supervision of certain diagnostic  imaging services at the hospital, the Justice Department said.
The investigation began when Connie Brogdon and Summer Holland filed a lawsuit under the whistleblower provisions of the federal False Claims Act and the Georgia False Medicaid Claims Act, which allow private citizens to bring civil actions on behalf of the government and share in any recovery obtained. Brogdon and Holland will receive a share of the settlement payment pursuant to the whistleblower provisions, the Justice Department said.
Federal officials said the defendants fully cooperated and agreed to resolve the allegations made by the federal government and the state of Georgia. The claims settled in the civil settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
"One important mission of this office's Civil Division is to ensure that when taxpayer money is paid out under federal health care programs, it is paid out in a manner that complies with federal healthcare laws," said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Moore. "Whistleblower lawsuits, like this case, are an increasingly important way in which our office is able to protect the integrity of the many federal programs that the citizens of ... Georgia rely on each and every day."
State Attorney General Sam Olens said his "office takes seriously our obligation to ensure that providers comply with all applicable state laws, regulations and policies when receiving state taxpayer funds for services they provide as part of the Medicaid program. This case reflects our continued commitment to investigating allegations of Medicaid fraud and abuse."
On Thursday, April 30, the Irwin County Hospital Authority released a statement noting that "as the U.S. Department of Justice stated in its press release, ICH (Irwin County Hospital) fully cooperated in the investigation and agreed to resolve the allegations by way of a civil settlement, with neither an admission nor determination of liability.
"...To clarify, no physician paid any amount of money as part of the settlement, and each of the physicians were released from any and all liability."
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MOODY AFB IN VALDOSTA
CURRENT DEFENSE BILL PROTECTS MOODY
U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., joined the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday in OK'ing the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, which, in its current form, protects the mission of Moody Air
 Force Base in Valdosta.
The bill provides funding for the nation's military, including $604.2 billion in base budget national defense funding and Overseas Contingency Operations accounts. Scott, of Tifton, serves on the Readiness and Oversight and Investigations subcommittees.
"I am grateful that members of this committee recognized that the A-10C Warthog, which is flown out of Moody Air Force Base, continues to provide the important close air support capability that is essential to our nation's defense by preventing their retirement and investing in operations and maintenance for the fleet," Scott said.
"This bill also invests in the future replacement of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS), which are flown out of Robins Air Force Base. I am proud to serve as a voice for Robins and Moody on the committee."
The legislation also prohibits furloughs at depots, rejects a Base Realignment and Closure for FY2016, and rejects cuts to commissaries. The bill is expected to be considered by the full House during May.
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Rescheduled Because of Rain!
SOCCER FOR LITERACY IS MAY 17
The fourth annual Soccer for Literacy tournament has been reset for 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, May 17. Children and adult teams will compete for annual bragging rights while benefitting English language instruction programs of Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County.
Presented by LVTTC, the Tiftarea YMCA, and the Hispanic Soccer League, the tourney will pit soccer teams against one other to raise money for classes and materials. Registration begins at 9 a.m. on the YMCA soccer  fields. Categories include teams for men, women, and children from ages 6 and up.
"This event has been a tremendous success each year, so we have made it a regular part of our fundraising plan," said Dr. John Hamm, Soccer for Literacy chairman. Heavy rains in April caused it to be rescheduled to the new date. "We moved it from the heat of July to cooler weather in April, but the rains caught us by surprise."
Hamm and Luz Marti conduct three levels of English language classes two evenings a week at Our Divine Savior Catholic Church through Literacy Volunteers. An afternoon conversational class is being added because of a new volunteer, Yolanda Andreu, originally from Spain. Current students are local residents who originate from Vietnam, China, Costa Rica, Mexico and Brazil.
Francisco "Pajaro" Perez with the Hispanic Soccer League is recruiting soccer teams and organizing logistics of the event. He may be reached at 229-339-3773. The YMCA is providing the fields and a bouncy house. LVTTC is recruiting sponsors, promoting the event and providing age-appropriate soccer books for children participating.
"We expect to have a really great family event," said Bonnie Sayles, LVTTC director. Multiple food vendors will sell authentic Hispanic food. Attendance is free. "We appreciate the sponsors who are making the books for children possible." Sponsors are: Alan Parrish Farms, Bell Plantation, Lewis Taylor Farms, Quality Employment Service Inc., Southeastern Federal Credit Union and Tift Regional Medical Center.
Sponsorships are still available. "A full sponsorship is $200, but we appreciate any and all donations," Sayles said. Call 229-391-2527 or email tiftlv@gmail.com for more information.
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GARDEN CENTER'S YARD SALE SATURDAY
The Fulwood Garden Center in Tifton is having a yard sale on Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m.-noon at the Garden Center located at 802 W 12th St.
Among items available will be clothing, decorating items, furniture, live plants and household items.
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TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON-CUTTING
Home Instead Senior Care
1810 Hwy. 41 N., Tifton
April 28 |
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LOVETT BECOMES CHAIR OF
ABAC FOUNDATION BOARD
Lynn Lovett, Georgia Power Co.'s area manager, recently became chairman of the ABAC Foundation Board of Trustees at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
"It is an exciting time at ABAC with the continuous growth in enrollment and increasing number of bachelor degree
programs being offered," Lovett said. "As the campus evolves, the
ABAC Foundation
will play a key role in providing vital financial support for scholarships, programs, and facilities.
"Dr. (David) Bridges (ABAC president) has done a great job of ensuring that our foundation board is diverse in every aspect, and that each member brings specific expertise to the table. I look forward to working with our board members and the ABAC staff to accomplish ABAC's mission to provide students with a life-changing educational experience."
Lovett has been with Georgia Power for 36 years and the Tifton area manager since 2003. One of Lovett's responsibilities at Georgia Power is to represent the company through community involvement. She has served as chair of the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence, the Georgia Agrirama Foundation and the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce. She is a former president of the Tifton Rotary Club and served on the board of directors of the Tifton Museum of Arts and Heritage.
Lovett currently is a member of the Tifton Rotary Club and serves on the Board of Directors for Moultrie Technical College, Ruth's Cottage and Patticake House.
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RESOURCE FAIR ON SATURDAY
From 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 2, Behavioral Health Services of South Georgia, a non-profit agency, is hosting a Community Resource Fair in conjunction with National Children's Mental Health Awareness Month.
The event at 334 Tifton Eldorado Road is free and will be an opportunity for residents to obtain information on community resources available, such as getting assistance with library cards or finding housing. Food, games, face-painting and a bouncy house for
the kids will be available.
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YOUR WEEKEND
...at a Glance
FRIDAY, MAY 1
-
Older Americans Month Kickoff Luncheon, 11 a.m., First Baptist
Church
, Tifton
- Mother-Son Date Night, 6 p.m., TRMC/YMCA Events Center, Tifton
SATURDAY, MAY 2
- Fulwood Garden Center Yard Sale, 8 a.m., 802 W. 12th St., Tifton
- Wiregrass Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton
- Behavioral Health Services Resource Fair, 9 a.m., 334 Tifton Eldorado Road, Tifton
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Margaret "Louise" Paulk Taylor, 90, Tifton
Joni Johnson Langston, 58, Enigma
Marion Howard Massee III, 85, Fitzgerald
Johnette Harris Wheeler, 86, Moultrie
Mary Ethel Swift Fountain, 77, Valdosta
APRIL 25
Mark William Thill, 66, Tifton
Doris J. "Nettie" Martin, 65, Ocilla
Laura "Evelyn" Hubbard Bennett, 92, Cook County
APRIL 26
Katherine Mae Steadman Fletcher, 69, Lenox
Beny "B.J." Peretz, 36, Rochelle
Barbara Ann Lupo, 77, Ocilla
Frances Clark Baker, 82, Sylvester
APRIL 27
Marie E. Pearson, 95, Tifton
Alma Gaskins Myers, 92, Adel
APRIL 28
Patricia (Pat) Coker, 72, Albany
John A. Griner III, 55, Sparks
APRIL 29
Myrtle M. Rose, 93, Sycamore
Tammy Fykes Kelly, 56, Sparks
APRIL 30
Winona Norman Powell, 100, Tifton
Laton Thompson Jr., 85, Tifton
Olen Harris, 89, West Berrien
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SERVING YOU WITH PROFESSIONALISM
BEFORE, DURING & AFTER THE SALE
$129,000
You must see this 3 bedroom, 2-bath home. Tile floors through hall, family room, kitchen and dining room. Spacious, open split-floor plan with tray ceiling in family area. Large master bedroom and large master bath. Guest bedroom is very spacious. Home in great condition and move-in ready!
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| Dwana Coleman |
Call Us Today!
229-386-4222
Blue Skies & Sunshine Through Each & Every
Real Estate Transaction!
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