The Gray Panthers also sued to change Medicare regulations.

"Essentially the complaint reflects what we consider to be a misunderstanding and misapplication of the government of the applicable Medicare regulations," he said.

Counselor: Counselors are required as part of the core team by Medicare regulations.

Violations of federal Medicare regulations, if proved, could be punished by fines and even loss of Medicare accreditation.

Proposed changes to Medicare regulations may essentially eliminate these arrangements in the United States.

Medicare regulations require that hospice patients must have a prognosis of less than six months if the disease runs its normal course.

The Clinton Administration's new Medicare regulations will provide important consumer protections for 38 million elderly and disabled beneficiaries as more of them move into the managed-care system.

Liberty Medical has since had an untarnished record of adherence to Medicare regulations and voluntarily provides extensive training and education to its entire workforce.

Tenet is already under investigation by the Justice Department over its outlier payments and also for other possible violations of Medicare regulations.

In late December 2010, it was reported that a new Medicare regulation had been approved that would pay for end-of-life care consultations during annual physical exams.