Inflation Leads to Hike in Civil Monetary Penalties, Greater Rewards for Whistleblowers

November 18, 2015 by Begelman and Orlow

Companies and individuals who defraud government healthcare programs, as well as the whistleblowers who report those committing the fraud, could be seriously affected by a recent federal budget deal. Under the terms of the government’s new budget, codified in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, healthcare providers who commit Medicare or Medicaid fraud or who… More

What In the World Does Qui Tam Mean?

November 12, 2015 by Begelman and Orlow

Qui tam is Latin for “who as well for the king as for himself sues in this matter.” Say what? Qui tam (pronounced kee-tam) is a type of lawsuit brought under the US False Claims Act. It’s the “whistleblower” provision of the FCA that encourages people to share information with regard to fraudulent activity being… More

Gynecologist Faces Federal Allegations of Taking Kickbacks from Big Pharma

November 5, 2015 by Begelman and Orlow

Kickback deals involving physicians and drugmakers usually involve millions of dollars in fraud. However, a recent federal indictment involved one doctor and only $23,500 in money paid. Still, Feds hope the case will send a message to companies and doctors who are committing False Claims Act violations. Actonel and Atelvia are osteoporosis treatment drugs made… More

Alabama Hospice Provider May Face $200 Million in False Claims Damages

October 20, 2015 by Begelman and Orlow

AseraCare, a provider of end-of-life services, admitted patients who were not eligible for hospice care — just to turn a better profit. The spotlight was focused on the company after a whistleblower provided evidence about fraudulent claims on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries being submitted by AseraCare. The federal government filed a lawsuit under the False… More

Waste Management Company Stericycle Settles Whistleblower Lawsuit for $26.7M

October 13, 2015 by Begelman and Orlow

Eight years after a whistleblower unveiled information about Stericycle’s ongoing strategy of “systematically overcharging” the government for waste management services, the company settled the case. Stericycle agreed to pay $26,750,000 to the federal government and states involved in the claim action. A former Stericycle employee brought a qui tam claim against the company alleging that… More