As I have stated in other blog posts, any fraud or kickback in the medical field implicates the False Claims Act’s whistleblower provisions. That is because almost every aspect of the medical field receives some government funding. The False Claims Act prohibits any type of fraud against the federal government, so if you are a physician, nurse, or any other kind of medical staff, you may be entitled to a tremendous reward if you successfully notify the federal government of that fraud. But remember, only the first person who successfully advises the government will receive the 15% to 30% of whatever the government recovers as a result of the whistleblower claim. If you delay in making your claim or make a claim that fails to catch the U.S. Department of Justice’s attention, you may end up with nothing. I noticed the following medical whistleblower case recently and thought it would resonate with those of you here in Mississippi who are considering bringing fraud in the medical profession to light.
Are you considering becoming a whistleblower? You will need the help of an experienced whistleblower attorney to guide you through the process and to attain your fair share of compensation. Contact Barrett Law now at (800) 707-9577 to attain the advice you need.
The Facts of the Whistleblower Cases
A chain of Tennessee pain clinics was fraudulently inflating prices and charging Medicare for unnecessary drug tests for years. The fraud ranged into the millions of dollars and would have gone unchecked except for doctors and physician’s assistant that bravely blew the whistle on this conduct. The patients were unaware of the fraud, as the high costs for their tests were borne entirely but U.S. taxpayers.
These medical professionals notified the Department of Justice that the pain centers, National Spine and Pain Centers and Physical Medicine Associates, were unnecessarily charging Medicare for a full panel of drug screens and follow-up screens in situations where the entire panel was unnecessary or where the patient had passed the first drug test. As a result of the whistleblowers, both companies agreed to pay $3 million in fines to settle the case against them.
The False Claim Act prohibits inflating prices, charging for unnecessary services, and providing the government with sub-standard products. Here, the medical professionals became aware of the government being billed for drug screening tests that were not only unnecessary, but that were being billed at rates four to five times what the real price should have been. Through careful pleading, these whistleblowers were the first to notify the federal government of the price gauging, entitling them to a significant financial reward.
What Should You Do if You are Considering Making a Whistleblower Claim?
Are you a doctor, nurse, physician’s assistant, or other medical professional considering filing a whistleblower case? While the reward for submitting a successful claim can be significant, you will only receive this sort of award with the help of an experienced whistleblower attorney. The U.S. Department of Justice gets thousands of potential whistleblower claims each year, and only those that meet their requirements and are reported in a way that triggers their interest are acted upon. Careful pleading and an organized approach to gathering evidence are critical to this process and will require the help of an experienced whistleblower counsel. Contact Barrett Law now at (800) 707-9577.
Experienced whistleblower lawyer Barrett can provide you with the advice you will need to file a successful whistleblower case. Having expert legal advice by your side can mean the difference between receiving your share of a whistleblower reward and losing your career and livelihood. Call us today.
