Georgia Briefly

Grady to repay $2.9 million in NICU billings

ATLANTA — Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens announced Thursday that the state had reached a civil settlement agreement with Grady Health System in which Grady had agreed to pay $2.95 million to settle claims that it inaccurately coded claims for neo-natal intensive care unit patients, resulting in alleged damages to the Georgia Medicaid program.

In a news release Thursday, Olens’ office said providers generally are permitted to bill only for those codes that are justified by the medical services provided. The state alleged that Grady inflated billings for certain services provided to NICU patients, resulting in either unjustified or inflated outlier payments from Georgia Medicaid. The claims settled in the civil settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability, the office said.

Ga. senators vote against Lynch

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate confirmed the Obama administration’s nomination of Loretta E. Lynch of New York as the new U.S. attorney general, but Lynch did not receive any support from Georgia’s U.S. senators.

Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue, both Republicans, were among the 43 senators who opposed the nomination Thursday, which passed with 56 affirming votes. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, did not vote on the confirmation. Nine Republicans joined 45 Democrats and two independents who caucus with Democrats to approve the nomination.

Albany Goodwill job fair planned

ALBANY — With the launch of Goodwill Week, the Albany Goodwill Career Center will conduct resource and career fairs during the week of May 4.

A resource fair is scheduled at 9 a.m. May 4 and a career fair at 9 a.m. May 6 at the Albany center, 2015 N. Slappey Blvd., Goodwill officials said.

Organizers say employers will be on hand to give out information about their companies at the resource fair. At the career fair, participating local employers will be looking to fill open positions.

Goodwill officials say the organization’s mission is to help individuals with disadvantages or disabilities secure sustainable employment through education, training, work experience and career placement services, as well as free tax services for eligible families and individuals. For information, visit www.goodwillsr.org.