Trinity Hospital Agrees to Pay $1.7M to Resolve Alleged Stark Law Violations

# Trinity Hospital Settles Stark Law Violation Case for $1.7 Million

Trinity Hospital Holding Company, which operates a hospital in Steubenville, Ohio, has agreed to pay $1.7 million to resolve allegations of Stark Law violations. The settlement addresses improper financial relationships between the hospital and two referring physicians from 2014 through 2020, specifically involving office space rental arrangements that exceeded fair market value.

The Physician Self-Referral Law, known as the Stark Law, prohibits hospitals from billing for services referred by physicians with whom they have financial relationships, unless the arrangement meets statutory exceptions. The Justice Department alleged Trinity's rental arrangements violated this law by exceeding fair market rates.

Trinity received credit for cooperation in the settlement after conducting an independent investigation, promptly disclosing the arrangements to the government, and taking remedial action. The Justice Department's Civil Division and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General collaborated on the case. The settlement reflects the government's commitment to combating healthcare fraud while acknowledging voluntary disclosure and cooperation.