◆ Swedish Covenant Health d/b/a Swedish Hospital in Illinois agreed to pay $716,724 in a settlement with the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) over an excluded employee. According to the settlement, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, OIG alleged that between Aug. 1, 2016, and Aug. 9, 2022, the hospital employed the person, who isn’t identified by name or occupation, to provide items or services that may be paid for by a federal health care program. “OIG contends that Respondent knew or should have known that [the employee] was excluded from participation in all Federal health care programs and that no Federal health care program payments could be made for items or services furnished by” the excluded employee. OIG contends the conduct subjects the hospital to civil money penalties. The settlement stemmed from the hospital’s self-disclosure to OIG. An attorney for Swedish Hospital didn’t respond to RMC’s request for comment.