Nursing homes are expected to provide comfortable and safe living arrangements for elderly residents. Unfortunately, some of these individuals will ultimately be the victims of fraud. These acts could target the residents directly or be designed to siphon money from the federal government through falsified Medicaid claims.
The government takes an aggressive stance against these perpetrators, to the point that they offer financial rewards for information that might lead to a conviction. An experienced whistleblower attorney could help individuals with vital information pursue a qui tam lawsuit to secure a monetary award. Let a Columbia nursing home fraud whistleblower lawyer advise you of your options today.
Numerous examples of fraud exist in nursing home settings. For the most part, these actions are prohibited by both state and federal law. When an employee or other party has inside knowledge about these schemes, a nursing home fraud whistleblower attorney in Columbia could assist them in providing those details to the government before seeking a percentage of what is collected through a qui tam lawsuit.
The billing process in a nursing home can be complex. Unfortunately, the system makes it relatively simple to overcharge residents while burying the evidence in a sea of real fees and transactions. This could include double charging for services rendered or billing for things that were never provided.
A common form of fraud in a nursing home setting involves falsifying documents. This could take the form of altering the terms of a contract or making it appear that a larger reimbursement from the government was needed. Participating in this behavior could result in issues on the state and federal levels.
Some acts of fraud are as simple as misusing the property of assets owned by a nursing home resident. It is unlawful to improperly withdraw funds from an account, for example, and the same is true when it comes to the theft of physical property from their rooms.
Through a provision in the False Claims Act, whistleblowers can potentially receive monetary awards. Known as qui tam lawsuits, these legal proceedings allow individuals to file a federal claim for compensation when the information they provide leads to the recovery of fraudulently obtained assets.
Not every person who provides information regarding nursing home fraud is entitled to compensation. First, the proof provided to federal authorities must lead to a conviction. Second, this process must result in the government recovering some fraudulently obtained funds from the nursing home or its owners.
When financial recovery occurs in these cases, a qui tam lawsuit can result in the plaintiff receiving a portion. This is generally between 15 and 25 percent of the amount the government procures. A nursing home fraud lawyer in Columbia could guide a whistleblower through filing a claim.
If you believe you have critical details of a scheme to defraud nursing home residents or the federal government, now is the time to come forward. A qui tam lawsuit could provide you with financial compensation for your efforts.
A Columbia nursing home fraud whistleblower lawyer could answer any questions you have about this process. Call our law office today to schedule an initial consultation.
