Kickbacks and medically unnecessary treatments: Five major qui tam settlements from May 2024

Kickbacks and medically unnecessary treatments: Five major qui tam settlements from May 2024 
JD Supra; by Geoff Schweller; 6/5/24 
Under the FCA’s qui tam provisions, a crucial tool in combating healthcare fraud, whistleblowers have the power to file suits on behalf of the federal government if they possess the knowledge of an individual or company defrauding the government. The government may choose to intervene and take over the suit, but if a qui tam lawsuit results in a successful settlement, the whistleblower is eligible to receive between 15-30% of the monies collected. The settlements announced in May cover a wide range of alleged misconduct that violates the FCA, including cases concerning kickbacks and the billing of federal healthcare programs for medically unnecessary treatments. Each settlement represents a victory in the ongoing battle against fraud. ... [Non-hospice examples followed by this hospice case] $4.2 Million Settlement with Elara Claring for Allegedly Billing Medicare for Ineligible Hospice Patients ...