The federal government provides a substantial safety net to vulnerable citizens through the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Usually reserved for people with limited income or senior citizens, both patients and providers can receive significant benefits by playing by the rules.
Unfortunately, fraud in Medicare and Medicaid is common. Providers may demand payment for services that they did not provide. Some individuals seek out benefits to which they would not otherwise be entitled. This results in millions of lost dollars every year.
People who believe that they have information about fraud should contact a Greenville Medicare and Medicaid fraud lawyer. An attorney could help you to organize your information, submit complaints to the relevant government agencies, and demand a reward for your information.
The Medicare and Medicaid programs are a product of federal legislation. As a result, Congress also has the power to create laws to enforce the proper administration of these programs. The False Claims Act under 31 United States Code § 3729 says that it is illegal for any party to knowingly submit a false claim to the federal government for payment.
Unfortunately, these acts can occur at many points during the Medicare or Medicaid process. At the most basic level, an individual may submit a false application for enrollment in these programs. They may provide inaccurate information concerning their age, disability, or financial situation to gain admission to these limited enrollment plans.
Healthcare providers may also commit Medicare or Medicaid fraud. They could accomplish this by submitting false claims for payment, alleging that they provided care when they did not, or state that a patient was a member of these programs when they were not. A Greenville Medicare and Medicaid fraud attorney could help individuals to better understand these laws and determine whether fraud has occurred.
The federal government relies on whistleblowers to learn about many examples of Medicare and Medicaid fraud. It simply lacks the resources to discover many of these instances on its own. At the same time, the government recognizes that coming forward involves a lot of hard work and could place peoples’ careers in jeopardy.
As an incentive, 31 United States Code § 3730(c)(5) creates the False Claims Act whistleblower reward program. It states that parties who provide fresh information to the government that leads to a conviction may demand a reward through a writ of Qui Tam. These rewards can range in value from between 15 to 25 percent of the total recovered value in the case. With that in mind, not every person who comes forward will be eligible for a reward. A Greenville Medicare and Medicaid fraud lawyer may be able to help parties to determine whether a reward may be possible in exchange for their service as a whistleblower.
Medicare and Medicaid fraud are serious problems that come with a substantial price tag for the federal government. Despite this fact, the government also lacks the resources to properly investigate and punish a substantial portion of these illegal activities.
According to the False Claims Act, it is illegal for any party to knowingly submit a false claim for payment to the federal government. Medicare and Medicaid fraud are certainly examples of this behavior. Furthermore, ordinary citizens who witness this behavior can serve as whistleblowers and may even be eligible to receive a reward.
A Greenville Medicare and Medicaid fraud lawyer may be able to help you to become a whistleblower. This could include filing a comprehensive complaint, demanding a reward, and protecting you from potential retaliation. Call today.
