$122,000 Whistleblower Reward for Therapists at Nursing Home

Therapists who once worked at a Virginia nursing home will receive a whistleblower reward of $122,500 for helping the government recover $700,000 in a Medicare fraud case against their former employer.

The therapists went to the government with evidence that their former employer, Fairfax Nursing Center, billed Medicare for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services that were excessive or medically unnecessary.

Their claims were filed in a qui tam lawsuit under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act.  Under the federal False Claims Act, individual citizens may bring claims on behalf of the government and share in any recovery.

The qui tam lawsuit was initially filed “under seal” (in secret), while the government conducted an investigation.  After investigating the claims, the government joined the lawsuit and accused the nursing home of billing Medicare for excessive, medically unnecessary, and otherwise non-reimbursable physical, occupational, and speech therapy services.  

The government alleged that services billed to Medicare were not necessary for treatment of the patients’ conditions.  In some instances, treatment was provided or extended solely for the purpose of billing Medicare.

The nursing home agreed to settle the allegations of Medicare fraud by paying $700,000.

Under the False Claims Act, the therapists who brought the qui tam lawsuit are entitled to a whistleblower reward of between 15% and 25% of the amount the government actually collects.  In this case, the therapists will receive a whistleblower reward of $122,500.

Is your current or former employer creating false treatment records or submitting false claims to Medicare?  If so, then you should consult with an experienced whistleblower attorney.  You may be entitled to legal protections and a whistleblower reward.

To find out if you may be entitled to a whistleblower reward, contact John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728 or click here to reach us via email.

The consultation is completely free and confidential.  No attorneys’ fees are charged unless your case is successful.

John Howley, Esq.

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