Whistleblowers help government recover $122 million in Medicare fraud case

The Department of Justice has announced the settlement of a Medicare fraud case, resolving 18 cases brought by 25 whistleblowers, recovering a total of $122 million.

According to the whistleblowers’ allegations, numerous healthcare entities offering inpatient behavioral health services defrauded the government by submitting false claims to government programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, and the VA.  The various complaints allege that defendants admitted behavioral health patients that were not eligible and failed to discharge patients when the services were no longer  medically necessary.  Additionally, the complaints allege an illegal kickback scheme, where defendants offered free or discounted transportation to improperly induce beneficiaries to receive services.

The False Claims Act (FCA) allows individuals who have uncovered fraud against government healthcare programs to bring civil actions to recoup public funds.  Whistleblowers are entitled to share in any recovery and receive important protections from retaliation.  In the present case, the whistleblowers will receive over $16.7 million for bringing the fraud to light.

Many states also have analogous acts, allowing whistleblowers to combat fraud against state programs.

If you have uncovered fraud against the government, contact the whistleblower attorneys at Miller Law Group today for a free and confidential consultation.  You can also set up a consultation by calling us at (919) 348-4361.

The settlements discussed above are based on allegations only.  No determination of liability has been made.

Additional Resources: 

Telemedicine Fraud: Safely Distanced or a Smoke Screen?

Whistleblower: 3 Ways to Spot Nursing Home Fraud

Whistleblower: Government Plans to Focus on Nursing Home Fraud in 2020