December 23, 2013
False Claims Act Information
We have been reviewing some of the acclaims and concerns with the False Claims Act (“FCA”) and its qui tam whistleblower provisions. More specifically, we have reviewed a 2013 report presented to Congress by the National Whistleblower Center (“NWC”), a group dedicated to advocating on behalf of employees facing retaliation […]
December 20, 2013
False Claims Act Legal News
In a weeklong series, we have been exploring the assertions set forth in a recent study submitted to Congress by the National Whistleblower Center. The NWC is a non-profit, non-partisan group dedicated to helping whistleblowers stand up against corporate fraud and avoid unfair retaliation from employers. In its report, which […]
December 19, 2013
False Claims Act Information
Retaliation by an employer can be one of the harsh realities of blowing the whistle on fraud. As we previously reported, the National Whistleblower Center (“NWC”) submitted a 2013 report to Congress on the various effects of workplace retaliation on the likelihood of employees to come forward with allegations of […]
December 18, 2013
False Claims Act Information
Our nation’s whistleblower laws serve as an indispensable portal to truth, integrity and corporate responsibility. However, there are some downsides to stepping up to report fraud, namely the very possible risk of facing retaliation by an employer. Some retaliation is blatant (e.g., immediate termination) while other forms can be much […]
December 17, 2013
Healthcare Fraud
As you are likely aware, Medicaid and Medicare are federal programs offering health care coverage based on age or financial need. If a healthcare facility is treating a patient with coverage under one or both of these programs, it must submit an invoice for services, which is later reimbursed. During […]
December 16, 2013
False Claims Act Legal News
One of the most important components of the doctor-patient relationship is the ability of a patient to trust the diagnosis and advice of his doctor. Patients deserve to know that any prescription or course of treatment recommended by a physician is offered with the sincere believe that the treatment is […]
December 13, 2013
False Claims Act Legal News
If you take a look at how the False Claims Act got its start, you will uncover a storied history stemming from the American Civil War. In an act vehemently championed by President Abraham Lincoln, the FCA arose amidst widespread fraud against soldiers and units by unscrupulous individuals and corporations […]
December 12, 2013
False Claims Act Legal News
Under the False Claims Act, companies must engage in honest, law-abiding behavior with regard to any aspect of healthcare to be reimbursed by federal entities like Medicare or Medicaid. For instance, pharmaceutical companies are required to adhere to the provisions of their FDA approvals when marketing drugs to physicians and […]
December 11, 2013
False Claims Act Legal News
The federal False Claims Act (“FCA”) is widely-touted as one of the most successful pieces of legislation in American history. Its success is rooted in the incentivization of integrity which, right or wrong, seems to work. To date, the FCA has been pivotal in the U.S. government recouping billions of […]
December 10, 2013
False Claims Act Legal News
Federal law prohibits private companies from engaging in fraudulent misconduct and misspending of federal funds. This includes all contractors doing business with the federal government or any entity receiving federal funds through a reimbursement program. One of the top sources of federal fraud arises in the healthcare industry and is […]
December 9, 2013
Military Contractor Fraud
While we regularly report on the impact of healthcare fraud, misspending of taxpayer dollars is far more rampant than faulty invoices to Medicare. In fact, fraud by government contractors can be pinpointed in nearly every area of government contract. Without the help of whistleblowers, this fraud would go unchecked for […]
December 6, 2013
False Claims Act Legal News
The Department of Health and Human Services has been under close scrutinization since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and its accompanying internet portal healthcare.gov. Notwithstanding this unprecedented, unexpected public scrutiny, the HHS has published for public review a report of its goals and aspirations through 2018, which include […]