UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):
April 1, 2005
CHEMED CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-8351 31-0791746
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(State or other (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of Identification
incorporation) Number)
2600 Chemed Center, 255 East 5th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
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(513) 762-6900
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[_] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 230.425)
[_] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01 Other Items.
On April 7, 2005, the registrant announced the Office of Inspector General
("OIG") for the Department of Health and Human Services has served its VITAS
Healthcare Corporation ("Vitas") subsidiary with civil subpoenas relating to
VITAS' alleged failure to appropriately bill Medicare and Medicaid for hospice
services. As part of this investigation, the OIG has selected 80 sets of patient
records from each of VITAS' three largest programs for review. In addition,
another 80 patient records were selected from various programs. These patient
records cover the time period 1997 through the current period. It also seeks
policies and procedures from 1998 to present covering admissions,
certifications, recertifications, and discharges.
VITAS, as the nation's largest provider of end-of-life care, frequently consults
with governmental agencies, institutions and hospice associations concerning
such matters as benefit policies, patient care, clinical studies and systems
capabilities. Based upon this experience, we believe VITAS has developed systems
and procedures that meet or exceed those necessary to support Medicare and
Medicaid billings.
The OIG has not disclosed the origin of the subpoenas or investigation. We are
unable to predict the outcome of the investigation or the impact, if any, that
the investigation may have on the business, results of operations, liquidity or
capital resources.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
c) Exhibits
(99.1) Registrant's press release dated
April 7, 2005.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CHEMED CORPORATION
Dated: April 8, 2005 By: /s/ Arthur V. Tucker, Jr.
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Arthur V. Tucker, Jr.
Vice President and Controller