Healthcare Fraud Whistleblower Rewards
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If you have evidence that your employer or healthcare provider is submitting false claims to Medicare and Medicaid, then you have two choices.
What is a Whistleblower or Qui Tam Lawsuit? Anyone who has evidence of Medicare or Medicaid fraud may file a qui tam lawsuit to recover money for the government. The lawsuit is initially filed in secret, and the evidence of fraud is given only to the government. After the government reviews the evidence, it may decide to join the lawsuit or it may let the whistleblower pursue the lawsuit with their own lawyer.
How Much Are the Whistleblower Rewards? Whistleblowers are entitled to a reward of between 15% and 30% of the amount the government actually recovers. This can include the amounts paid by the government for false claims, treble damages, and a penalty of up to $11,000 per false claim. It is not unusual for whistleblower rewards to reach hundreds of thousands of dollars and, in some cases, even millions of dollars. Get an Experienced Whistleblower Lawyer on Your Side. John Howley has more than 30 years of experience representing major pharmaceutical companies, individual physicians and other healthcare professionals, and their accounting and billing staff. He will review your evidence, explain your options, and explain the process of seeking a whistleblower reward. Schedule a Confidential Consultation. If you have evidence of Medicare or Medicaid fraud, then you should consult with an experienced whistleblower lawyer immediately. Call Mr. Howley at (212) 601-2728. The government pays rewards to whistleblowers who help stop Medicare and Medicaid fraud, tax fraud, and violations of the securities laws and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The rewards can be substantial. Whistleblowers are paid up to 30% of the amount recovered by the government. The whistleblower laws also provide protection from unlawful retaliation. In many cases, the whistleblower awards amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. In some cases, the rewards reach into the millions of dollars. Whistleblower Rewards Programs. The False Claims Act contains a qui tam provision that allows private citizens to earn rewards by helping the government recover money paid for false claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and other government programs. Other programs provide rewards for individuals who come forward with evidence that companies are violating the securities laws, the tax laws, or the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Can You Be an Anonymous Whistleblower? Some whistleblower programs allow the whistleblower to remain anonymous. The whistleblower's evidence is provided to the government - and the reward is paid to the whistleblower - through the whistleblower's lawyer. Other programs allow you to file the whistleblower claim "under seal" (that is, in secret). Your identity is revealed only after the government conducts an investigation. Who is Eligible for Whistleblower Rewards? Anyone with evidence of fraud can earn a whistleblower reward. You do not have to be an employee or personally affected by the fraud. You only need to have evidence that helps the government stop the fraud and recover money. Why Should You Report Fraud? Billions of dollars are lost or wasted every year because of fraud on the government. That has a direct effect on every American. Fraud increases government spending, which causes your taxes to go up. Fraud also causes multi-billion dollar deficits that threaten our very existence as a nation. Reporting fraud is the right thing to do as a patriotic American. It also may result in a substantial financial reward. Do Not Wait for the FBI to Show Up at Your Doorstep. If you have evidence of fraud, you may be at risk if you fail to report it. Sooner or later, the government will uncover the fraud. If you knew of the fraud and failed to report it, you may become a target of a criminal investigation instead of earning a whistleblower reward. Arrange a Free and Confidential Consultation. In most cases, only the first whistleblower is entitled to a reward. If you have evidence that a company is submitting false claims to a government program, evading taxes, or violating the securities laws, then you should consult with an experienced whistleblower lawyer immediately. Call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728 to schedule a confidential consultation. |
John Howley, Esq.
The Howley Law Firm P.C. 1345 6th Ave 2nd floor New York, NY 10105 (212) 601-2728 |