It is a violation of federal law to offer, pay, or receive kickbacks for referrals of Medicare and Medicaid patients.  42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b).  This is known as the Anti-Kickback Act.  Kickbacks can include a wide array of remuneration beyond cash exchanged for referrals.  They encompass the purchase, lease, or provision of any goods [...]

Many prospective whistleblowers start out by researching the law on their own.  Many often have questions over which false claim act governs their situation.  The federal government and several states have false claims acts.  While many state laws are nearly identical to the federal law, and contain analogous procedural requirements, causes of action, damages, [...]

Unfortunately, whistleblowers who fight fraud under the False Claims Act (FCA) cannot remain anonymous.  However, their identities can be protected while the investigation is underway.  Importantly, the whistleblower’s identity will always be known to the government.  Whistleblowers are required to disclose to the government, “substantially all material evidence and information” in their possession.  31 [...]