Novation, however, said it did not plan to do so.

In the past, it bought most of its supplies through Novation.

But until now, Novation was not known to have been named in a criminal investigation.

This is called a novation and it can only take place by agreement between all the parties.

Novation saw the potential of such a service - and the competitive threat.

Novation also said the settlement would have "no material impact" on its financial health.

Novation also said the payment was intended to increase its revenue.

She said the extra money was to be used to finance a communication system within Novation.

It has grown from 15 employees to more than 600 since being acquired by Novation.

Novation made her a senior contracting official, a position with considerable power.

Novation and Premier may have gone well beyond what legislators envisioned.

Novation is also highly praised by many of the hospitals that use it.

Negotiators are trying to reach a similar agreement with another buying group, Novation.

This process of transferring the trade title to the clearing house is called novation.

Novation officials declined to be interviewed for this story.

The two hospital networks that own and use Novation eventually acquired a majority of the company's stock.

He might not have expected to be impressed with Novation, but, almost against his will, he was.

Since then, Premier and Novation have promised to change their business practices.

The payments are among about a dozen similar ones that Novation said it had accepted from medical product companies.

Before long, the company, Novation, arranged to have her "escorted off the property by guards."

Hospitals that use Novation choose to continue with his company "the vast majority of the time," he said.

Contrary to assignment, novation requires the consent of all parties.

Heritage Bag, for example, paid Novation more than 8 percent in fees.

In fact, Novation negotiates price agreements, which its member hospitals are free to use or not.

Since then, however, people close to the subcommittee have expressed doubts about how well Novation was living up to its promises.