Health Care False Claims Resources
Bricker & Eckler Bulletins and Publications
False Claims Act Statute
Government Publications, Guidance and Meetings
Pending Legislation
Congressional Hearings
Anyone who contracts directly or indirectly with the United States or is a grantee or recipient of federal funds has vulnerability under the civil False Claims Act (FCA). This includes health care providers, defense contractors, colleges and universities, and the biotech industry, among others. Violations of the FCA may result in damages in an amount up to three times the actual harm to the government, as well as financial penalties of $5,500 - $11,000 per false claim, suspension, debarment, or exclusion from government contracting or program participation, and even a criminal investigation or prosecution, depending on the facts.
Being involved in a FCA investigation or lawsuit can be quite upsetting to an organization. Bricker & Eckler has a team of experienced attorneys who understand the FCA and how the government investigates and prosecutes FCA cases. Our team consists of experienced health care attorneys, including lawyers who have successfully defended and settled numerous FCA cases with the government as well as seasoned litigators, former government attorneys (including a former federal prosecutor and an attorney who worked for the OIG), and a number of subject-matter experts who understand the federal regulations underlying FCA cases. Our lawyers understand the law and have relationships with the government attorneys that investigate and prosecute FCA cases, and we stand ready to provide the assistance our clients need when faced with FCA allegations.
Government Publications, Guidance and Meetings
National Summit on Health Care Fraud
The National Summit on Health Care Fraud of January 28, 2010 brought
together leaders from the public and private sectors to identify and discuss innovative ways to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse in the U.S. health care system
False Claims Act Cases: Government Intervention in Qui Tam (Whistleblower) Suits
A general overview of qui tam litigation under the False Claims Act prepared by the U.S. Justice Department
Pending Legislation
S.1959: A Bill to Improve Health Care Fraud Enforcement
Introduced October 28, 2009 and under consideration in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee
S.1843: A Bill to Provide Increased Penalties for Health Care Fraud
Introduced October 22, 2009 and under consideration in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee
Congressional Hearings
Efforts to Combat Health Care Fraud and Abuse
March 4, 2010 testimony by William Corr, J.D., deputy secretary of HHS before the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives
Effective Strategies for Preventing Health Care Fraud
Webcast of the October 28, 2009 U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing