Hutchinson ? A federal investigation has begun into billing practices at a Hutchinson hospital.

Officials at Promise Regional Medical Center said Tuesday that the investigation involves the hospital’s hyperbaric oxygen therapy services.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

Gary Ayers, a lawyer hired by the hospital to conduct an internal investigation, says the oxygen services were performed under an agreement with Shared Health Services, based in Tennessee. He told The Hutchinson News that the hospital will hire an auditor to review charges related to the services.

He says the U.S. Attorney’s office involvement in the investigation does not mean that crimes were committed. That office is the attorney for Health and Human Services.