The Small Business Administration maintains several programs and opportunities to help historically underserved communities and demographics. One such program is known as the Historically Underutilized Business Zone program, also known as the HUBZone program. Under HUBZone rules, preferential treatment may be available for potential business owners seeking to start or […]
In 2010, Lance Armstrong’s former cycling teammate, Floyd Landis, filed a lawsuit against Armstrong under the False Claims Act. In essence, Landis’s claims centered on the nearly 30 million in taxpayer dollars given to the team during its sponsorship by the U.S. Postal Service – and the subsequent revelation that […]
In yesterday’s post, we examined the emerging concept known as ‘worthless services’ within the context of the False Claims Act. Under the FCA, a defendant may face liability for intentionally submitting claims for reimbursement to Medicare or Medicaid that are known to be false or based on false information. On […]
When it comes to committing fraud against Medicare and Medicaid, there are a number of ways for doctors, hospitals, and medical companies to get around the rules. Some encourage billing specialists to “upcode” for higher reimbursement rates, essentially billing Medicare or Medicaid for services never rendered. Others, quite alarmingly, perform […]
False Claims Act cases often conclude with a negotiated settlement between the Department of Justice (DOJ), defendant(s), and the relator(s). However, settlements are complex matters that contain a number of terms and provisions unique to each individual case.