Boston Scientific to pay $22M for settlement of Guidant post-market survey investigation

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced that it has entered into a civil settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the Department's investigation relating to certain post-market surveys conducted by Guidant Corporation before Boston Scientific acquired Guidant in 2006. Boston Scientific had previously disclosed the investigation, which was conducted by the United States Attorney's office in Boston.

This civil settlement brings to a conclusion an investigation that began in 2005 and involves no admission of wrong doing by the Company. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company has agreed to pay $22 million, which was previously fully accrued.

The Company also agreed to enter into a Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The CIA requires enhancements to certain compliance procedures related to financial arrangements with health care providers. It is limited to the Company's cardiac rhythm management business, which became part of Boston Scientific through the Guidant acquisition.