Qui Tam 101

Archive for August, 2006

Former Clinic Sues Accountant for Double Billing

$20 Million Settlement Involving Beverly Enterprises in False Claims Act Case

A settlement has been reached between Beverly Enterprises and the United States as well as the State of California for alleged fraudulent activities of its now-defunct durable medical equipment wholesaler, MK Medical. The government allege d that between 1998-2002, MK Medical submitted false claims to both Medicare and Medi-Cal programs for durable medical equipment without obtaining the necessary information in order to submit such claims . For more information click here.

Ninth Circuit Allows Whistleblowers Case to Proceed in Bid-Rigging Case

A qui tam lawsuit will be permitted to proceed in the Ninth Circuit after whistleblowers filed a state complaint and then subsequently filed a federal qui tam action.  The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court holding and ruled that the only notice needed for qualification as an original source is that the information be provided to the government prior to the filing of the action. For more information, click here.

False Certification Case Settled for $9 million

 This case settlement is a recent example of false claims act liability based upon false certification. Although this is not a healthcare fraud case, we point out that false certification in the healthcare fraud field is still probably going strong and the basis for liability.To see a brief story, click here.

Qui Tam Lawsuits Stike Hard at Healthcare Fraud