$425,000 Whistleblower Reward for Former Employee Who Reported Medically Unnecessary Services at Hospital

Hospital Pays $2.5 Million to Settle Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Claims

A former employee of Baptist Health System Inc. was awarded a $425,000 whistleblower reward for helping the government recover $2.5 million in allegedly false claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid.

The former employee gave the government evidence that the hospital system billed Medicare and Medicaid for services and drugs that were not medically necessary.

According to the whistleblower lawsuit, two neurologists at the hospital system misdiagnosed patients with multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.  As a result of the misdiagnoses, the hospital system billed Medicare and Medicaid for medically unnecessary services and drugs.

The hospital system placed one of the neurologists on administrative leave, but it did not disclose the problems to the government until a year later.

The government’s investigation began when a former hospital employee brought a qui tam or whistleblower lawsuit.  A whistleblower lawsuit is filed with the court “under seal” (in secret).  At the same time, the whistleblower gives their evidence to the government, and the government is required to conduct an investigation.

If the government recovers money as a result of the evidence provided, then the whistleblower is entitled to a reward of between 15% and 30% of the amount the government recovers.  In this case, the whistleblower was awarded 17% of the amount recovered or $425,000.

If you have evidence that a hospital or other medical provider is submitting false claims to Medicare or Medicaid, then you should consult with an experienced Medicare fraud whistleblower lawyer immediately to protect your rights.  Do not delay.  The reward is available only to the first whistleblower who provides evidence to the government.

To arrange a free and confidential consultation with an experienced whistleblower lawyer, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728 or click here to reach our law offices via email.

John Howley, Esq.
350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor
New York, New York  10118
(212) 601-2728