Two West Valley medical centers affiliated with Banner Health are paying over $2.5 million combined as part of a Medicare billing settlement.
Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City and Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale are two of 32 hospitals in a nationwide settlement after allegations that the facilities overcharged Medicare for medical procedures.
The procedure, called a kyphoplasty, treats spinal fractures and can often be done as outpatient treatment. But, the facilities are alleged to have frequently billed Medicare for the kyphoplasties in more costly inpatient procedures.
Bill Byron, a spokesperson for Banner Health, said in a statement that Banner Health admitted no wrong-doing and the company is pleased to have the billing issue behind them.
