Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The healthcare industry is subject to numerous laws and regulations of federal, state and local governments. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, matters such as licensure, accreditation, government healthcare program participation requirement, reimbursement for patient services and Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse. Government activity has increased with respect to investigations and allegations concerning possible violations of fraud and abuse statutes and regulations by healthcare providers.
Violations of these laws and regulations could result in expulsion from government healthcare programs together with the imposition of significant fines and penalties, as well as significant repayments for patient services previously billed. Management believes that the Company is in compliance with fraud and abuse regulations, as well as other applicable government laws and regulations. While no material regulatory inquiries have been made, compliance with such laws and regulations can be subject to future government review and interpretation, as well as regulatory actions unknown or unasserted at this time.
The outcome of legal proceedings and claims brought against us are subject to significant uncertainty. If one or more of these legal matters were resolved against us in the same reporting period for amounts in excess of management’s expectations, our financial statements for such reporting period could be materially and adversely affected. In general, the resolution of a legal matter resolved against us, could also prevent us from offering our services or products to others, could be material to our financial condition or cash flows, or both, or could otherwise adversely affect our operating results.
From time to time, the Company is involved in legal proceedings related to matters, which are incidental to our business. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we currently believe that the final outcome of these ordinary course matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, but, regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.
We are currently involved in a legal proceeding brought by a former employee before the court in San Antonio, Texas alleging unfair dismissal where the former employee seeks monetary damages. We dispute these allegations and intend to defend ourselves vigorously. While the outcome remains uncertain, management does not currently expect the case to have a material impact on its financial results.
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For a fulsome discussion of legal proceedings, see Note 8 – “Commitment and Contingencies” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
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PART II