American Senior Communities says it is cooperating with the government and conducting its own internal review in the wake of federal raids on its Indianapolis headquarters and the Carmel, IN, home of its CEO, James G. Burkhart, on Sept. 15.
“American Senior Communities’ most important priority is to continue to provide excellent care to our patients and residents,” the company said in a statement issued Sept. 16 to McKnight’s Senior Living. “ASC has been contacted by the federal government in connection with an investigation into certain individuals or practices. ASC is fully cooperating with the government and is conducting its own review to ascertain the relevant facts. ASC is in compliance with all federal, state and local laws and regulations and will continue to conduct its business in accordance with the highest standards of integrity.”
The FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the IRS were among participants in the raids, according to media reports. Sept. 15, FBI spokeswoman Wendy Osborne said that the agency “is conducting an investigation into criminal activity in the Carmel area,” The Indianapolis Star reported.
American Senior Communities offers independent living and assisted living apartments, assisted living memory care, skilled nursing, hospice and other services for older adults via 94 entities in Indiana and Kentucky, according to its website.
Burkhart also is chairman of the board of the Indiana Health Care Association. In a statement provided to McKnight’s Senior Living, the organization said that it is continuing to gather information on the investigation. “Right now, our most important priority is the care of the Hoosiers in our 330 member centers across the state,” the association said.
The Star and other media outlets published a Sept. 15 statement credited to Burkhart, which they said was released through his attorney, Larry Mackey: “Thorough oversight of health care costs in this nation is in every citizen’s interests and ASC will be an active partner with the government in this investigation. ASC cares for thousands of residents in scores of facilities across Indiana and has built a decade long record and reputation for excellence in caring for those most in need. We will keep our focus on our residents while we cooperate fully in this cost review.”
