Whistleblowers Are An Important Ally In Health Care Fraud
There are billions of annual health insurance claims in the U.S., and trillions of dollars are spent on health care. When given the opportunity, some health care providers, contractors and businesses will be tempted to increase profits by swindling the government or insurance companies. When it is time to reign them in, whistleblowers are an important ally.
It can be very profitable for health care providers to swindle insurance companies and federally funded programs like Medicare, Medicaid and the Veterans Administration. Those programs provide billions of dollars’ worth of care. When a provider bills for work not performed or goods not delivered, it hurts taxpayers, people who are supposed to receive the services and insurance premiums. Contact Doug Cloud Law for help if you are a whistleblower.
Whistleblowers Help Prevent Fraudulent Medical Claims
There are two especially common claims brought under the FSA. The first is health care fraud involving Medicare and Medicaid. This type of fraud happens at all levels. Prescription drug manufacturers have paid millions back to the government. Physicians, hospitals and providers have been charged with fraudulent billing and for services that were not provided.
If you work for a health care provider, you are in a position to report suspicious activities like:
- Treatment for minor injuries on consecutive days
- Billing for services not provided
- Procurement of unnecessary medical equipment
Sometimes, providers commit these acts alone. In other cases, they may be colluding with others acting as patients.
Fighting Fraud In Military Defense Spending
The second type of claim that is most common under the FCA is allegations of military defense contract fraud. National defense accounts for a huge portion of annual federal spending. Unfortunately, with so much money being paid out, dishonest contractors sometimes try to unduly enrich themselves.
If you work for a defense contractor or are otherwise in a position to act as a whistleblower, here are some things that do or might constitute fraud:
- Billing for cost-overruns that cannot be justified
- Delivering substandard services or inadequate products
- Overcharging the government by inflating costs or charging for services/goods not rendered
- Deceptively shifting costs between multiple contracts for the same company (known as cross-charging)
- Any material misrepresentation about services or products a company is providing
Remember that military defense fraud isn’t just a matter of wasted/stolen taxpayer money. It could also endanger our troops and make our country less secure.
You Might Be Entitled To Part Of The Settlement
If your actions contribute to the government recovering funds, you might be able to claim between 15 and 25 percent of the money that is recovered under the federal False Claims Act. This is the federal act used to combat fraud against the government. If your information leads to a successful False Claims Act, you may be entitled to a substantial share of the recovery.
In my decades of practice, I have litigated False Claims Act cases, successfully suing powerful businesses and local governments. I know how to litigate these complex cases and protect your rights as a whistleblower. If you report illegal activities, I am ready to defend you against retaliatory acts and lawsuits.
Fraud Can Be Stopped With Your Help – Discuss Your Options Today
Whistleblowers make a difference, often risking their jobs or careers in the process. If you’re ready to do the right thing and need the help of an experienced attorney, call Doug Cloud Law at 253-753-2500 or submit an online contact form.