Apria Probed for Alleged Kickbacks

A federal grand jury has launched a criminal investigation into allegations that Apria Healthcare Group Inc. gave kickbacks to medical providers in exchange for receiving patient referrals, the home health-care company disclosed. The Costa Mesa company, which supplies oxygen, drug infusion and other services to patients at home, said the grand jury is looking into allegations raised in a whistle-blower lawsuit filed last year in an Atlanta federal court. Laws forbid medical providers from receiving inducements in exchange for referring patients on Medicare, Medicaid or other federal insurance programs. The company said it intends to defend itself vigorously against the allegations.