Apria Charges Go Up

COSTA MESA — Apria Healthcare Group Inc. said it will record fourth-quarter charges of $7 million to $10 million--higher than previous estimates--related to the termination of its planned merger with Vitas Healthcare.

Costa Mesa-based Apria, which provides home health-care services, previously estimated charges of $4 million to $8 million in connection with the termination.

Apria also said it paid Vitas $4 million as part of a settlement in which the companies released each other from claims, liabilities and other obligations stemming from the merger agreement.