The U.S.
Government (“Government”) and the State
of Michigan (“State”) have reached an agreement in a False Claims Act case
wherein the Defendants have agreed to pay $4.15M to the Government and State
for fraudulent billings to Medicare and Medicaid.
The qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act allows an individual
with knowledge of Medicare or Medicaid Fraud, referred to as the
“relator,” to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Government against those
committing the fraud. The Government is
then provided notice of the lawsuit and is given the option to intervene as
Plaintiff in the suit. If the Government
obtains a judgment or settlement in the suit, the relator is provided a percentage
of the amount collected.
In the instant case, it was
alleged that the Defendants, Dr. Jashu R. Patel and other Jackson Cardiology
Associates physicians, performed unnecessary cardiac procedures at Allegiance
Health’s W.A. Foote Hospital in Jackson, also a Defendant in the case. Medicare and Medicaid were billed for these
procedures. Dr. Julie A. Kovich, a
former independent contractor at Jackson Cardiology Associates, filed suit as
the relator in this case. While Dr.
Kovich faces the possibility of being ostracized by her peers, she will receive
approximately $764,700.00 as the relator.
If you or anyone you know has specific
knowledge of fraudulent billing to Medicare or Medicaid, or is facing criminal
or civil liability concerning an alleged fraud, contact the experienced and
professional fraud team at Fausone Bohn, LLP for sound legal advice. Contact us at (248) 380-0000 or online at www.MichiganFraudLawyer.com.
To read the
article about the deficiencies in Medicare’s new accounting system, please
visit: http://www.justice.gov/usao/mie/news/2013/2013_7_10_jpatel_HCF.html
No comments:
Post a Comment