Bristol (Conn.) Hospital and Bristol Gastroenterology Associates agreed to pay $157,830 to settle allegations that they violated the Stark law and the False Claims Act by improperly billing Medicare, the Office of Inspector General announced yesterday. The physician group allegedly occupied a suite of the hospital without a written lease and without having to pay rent for two years, while the physicians regularly referred Medicare patients to Bristol Hospital, reported the Hartford Courant. Neither the hospital nor Bristol Gastroenterology admits liability in paying the settlement. Article