Healthcare fraud costs the U.S. government billions of dollars every year. Ultimately, it is the American people who pay the price when fraud is committed against tax dollar-funded programs. One particularly pervasive type of fraud is Medicare fraud. Medicare is a U.S. government-funded health insurance program that many Americans over the age of 65 and other individuals with disabilities rely on.
Healthcare fraud can be challenging to prove which is why the United States government relies on whistleblowers, or people with inside information, to expose fraud. If you believe you have knowledge of a Dallas healthcare company, lab, or similar entity that is claiming more money from Medicare than it is entitled to, you may qualify for a financial reward if you report what you know. A Dallas Medicare fraud lawyer from Tycko & Zavareei LLP is ready to help. Schedule a free legal consultation with us today.
What is Medicare Fraud?
Medicare is a governmental health insurance program. Typically, it is only for people over 65, but there are a few exceptions. Medicare helps people cover the costs of things like hospital visits, doctor’s appointments, and prescriptions.
Medicare fraud involves any type of deceptive action to intentionally claim more money from the Medicare program than a healthcare provider or similar group has a right to. For example, a hospital might charge Medicare for a service it did not perform. A doctor might lie about a patient’s diagnosis in order to prescribe unnecessary treatments to claim more money from Medicare. Or a pharmacist might overcharge for certain medications.
There have been numerous Texas and Dallas Medicare fraud cases in the last few years. In 2018, Dallas physicians and nurses were sentenced to prison for an $11.3 million fraud scheme that involved billing Medicare for unnecessary home health services that were often not even performed for patients.
How Can I Help Expose Medicare Fraud?
If you discover that your facility is cheating the Medicare system, understand that you have options available to you. While in other scenarios it is possible to work things out within your company, when it comes to illegal fraud against the government often your best option is to consult a lawyer. Either way, it is your moral responsibility to report the fraud.
If you work in healthcare, you may unintentionally discover fraud while carrying out your typical work responsibilities. If you suspect fraud is going on, collect as much evidence as possible. This evidence will help you build a possible case on behalf of the government. From there, you can seek legal counsel from a Dallas Medicare Fraud lawyer who can help you file a whistleblower lawsuit.
How Does the False Claims Act Protect Whistleblowers in Dallas?
The False Claims Act has been in place for nearly 160 years. It is a federal law that allows U.S. citizens to file lawsuits on behalf of the U.S. federal government. The goal of the law is to encourage fraud exposure and discourage fraudulent activity.
Under the qui tam provision of the False Claims Act, individuals who have evidence of Medicare fraud can file a lawsuit anonymously against their employer or another organization on the government’s behalf. As a reward, they get to keep 15 to 30% percent of the amount of defrauded funds the government recovers. The law also makes it illegal to retaliate against whistleblowers for coming forward.
If you have knowledge of Medicaid fraud, that would most likely fall under the Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act. The law offers similar provisions to the federal False Claims Act, but only in cases of fraud committed against the State’s Medicaid program.
When you consult with Tycko & Zavareei LLP, we will carefully review the facts of your case to determine the appropriate whistleblower program and relevant laws.
How Can a Texas Medicare Fraud Lawyer Help Me?
If you suspect fraud is occurring around you but you are unsure of whether or not it qualifies you to file a Medicare fraud whistleblower lawsuit, we encourage you to consult with a local whistleblower attorney.
Our Dallas Medicare fraud lawyers can listen to your experiences and review any evidence you have already gathered to help you determine if there may be cause to file a whistleblower lawsuit.
We will review all your possible legal options. If you decide to move forward with your case, we will help you every step of the way, including filing your lawsuit, assisting with investigations, gathering evidence, and more. We understand how Medicare fraud cases work in Texas and what laws apply to your case.
Costs of Hiring a Dallas Whistleblower Attorney
You are doing a brave thing by coming forward to report Medicare fraud, but it is understandable to be concerned about legal fees. We use a contingency fee structure, meaning that we do not require you to pay us unless we help win your case. We want you to have all the legal information and counsel you need to make an informed decision.
How Much Can I Get in a Whistleblower Medicare Fraud Lawsuit in Texas?
Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers usually receive between 15 and 30 percent of the amount recovered.
The exact amount you get will depend on your circumstances and the amount recovered in the case. For example, if you are reporting Medicare fraud that occurred over a span of years, it may result in the government recovering larger amounts of money.
Get a Free and Confidential Consultation with a Dallas Medicare Fraud Lawyer
We are proud to serve our clients in the Dallas area. At Tycko & Zavareei LLP, we specialize in handling fraud cases, including cases of Medicare fraud.
We can help you file your whistleblower lawsuit and help you navigate every step of the process. You can call us today at 202-973-0900 for a free, completely confidential consultation.
