(This article was updated with a correction on Nov. 8, 2013.)
Health Management Associates late Tuesday revealed 11 of its 70 hospitals had improperly claimed $31 million from the federal government's electronic health-record incentive program by incorrectly claiming they had met its “meaningful use” requirements. The Naples, Fla.-based hospital chain notified the CMS after identifying the error and announced it would restate its earnings for 2010 through 2012 and the first two quarters of 2013. The improper claims should not affect the closing of HMA's merger with Community Health Systems, which is expected in the first quarter of next year pending stockholder approval, according to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.