Healthcare fraud is a significant problem in the Lexington area that affects not just hospitals and the government but also the ability of everyday citizens to afford the care they desperately need. Healthcare fraud is illegal, but state agencies lack the resources to identify every incident. Any concerned citizen with information about these events has the power to come forward as a whistleblower. In some instances, this can result in the payment of a reward.
If you believe that you have witnessed this type of crime, a Lexington healthcare fraud whistleblower lawyer may be able to help. They could take the lead in gathering more information, file writs of Qui Tam that demand a reward, and act to protect your rights if any retaliation occurs due to your coming forward. Call Bill Nettles Law to speak with an experienced whistleblower attorney today.
According to South Carolina Code § 8-27-10, examples of fraud can include any intentional abuse, destruction, or manipulation of information that leads to the loss of public money. As applied to instances related to healthcare, a party may commit fraud by illegally billing a service to a public healthcare plan, misstating one’s income when seeking government benefits, or providers charging for services they did not provide.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has the power to investigate and punish instances of healthcare fraud. However, they lack the time and resources to investigate every case on their own initiative. As a result, they have established a whistleblower program that allows ordinary citizens to provide information that leads to fraud investigations.
A Lexington healthcare fraud attorney is here to assist individuals looking to serve as whistleblowers. They could work to determine if the potential case has merit and submit detailed claims. In addition, they could prepare a writ of Qui Tam. These are formal requests for rewards that result from serving as a whistleblower. For a writ to be valid, the information must result in an investigation and conviction that recovers public funds. Our team has extensive experience and could work to help individuals receive as much as 25% of the total funds recovered in the case as an award.
Many people who obtain information about healthcare fraud are employees of companies violating these laws. As a result, they may fear some form of retaliation for coming forward. While S.C. Code § 8-27-10 states that workplace retaliation as the product of being a whistleblower is illegal, this may not stop employers from firing, transferring, or otherwise disciplining a worker who comes forward.
A Lexington healthcare fraud whistleblower attorney may be able to help people who have experienced this retaliation. State law says that the victims of these actions can seek back pay, reinstatement at a job, and even attorney’s fees when pursuing a retaliation case.
Healthcare fraud is a persistent problem in Lexington and throughout South Carolina. To uncover these crimes, the state government often relies on whistleblowers to come forward with new information that can lead to an investigation and conviction.
A Lexington healthcare fraud whistleblower lawyer may be able to help you if you are considering reporting a crime. We have the most experience in the state and are ready to organize your information, demand a reward on your behalf, and protect you against potential retaliation. Speak with our team now to get started.
