DaVita says federal investigation is complete

DENVER -- DaVita Inc. said Tuesday that a federal grand jury investigation into its practices is complete and no action will be taken against the kidney dialysis firm.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Missouri launched an investigation into the company in 2005, looking into allegations that DaVita entered into improper relationships with pharmaceutical companies and physicians. The inquiry also followed allegations that it overused the anemia drug Epogen and then billed the government for it.

DaVita has stood by its business practices and said it had a record of compliance. The company said Tuesday that it fully cooperated with the government investigation, providing hundreds of thousands of documents.

The government has closed its investigation without filing any charges, without demanding any payments and without seeking any changes in company policies.

Davita, based in Denver, provides dialysis services to patients with kidney disease or failure.

Shares of the company increased 44 cents to $103.88 by midday.