Three hospice centers have agreed to pay millions in a Medicare fraud settlement to bring the government’s allegations of false claims to an end.

Health and Palliative Services of the Treasure Coast Inc., The Hospice of Martin and St. Lucie Inc., and Hospice of the Treasure Coast Inc. agreed to pay $2.5 million as part of a Medicare fraud settlementagreement with the federal government.

These three companies provide hospice services at people’s homes, in assisted living facilities, and in skilled nursing homes. The Medicare fraud settlement brings an end to allegations that these hospice care providers submitted false Medicare claims for years, defrauding the government. According to the lawsuit, these companies submitted false claims between 2005 and 2011 for services that patients were not eligible for or that were not part of their hospice care under the requirements of Medicare.

“When individuals file false claims, they defraud Medicare’s hospice benefit program and divert taxpayer monies away from vital services,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Benjamin G. Greenberg in a DOJ press release.

“Those who would exploit Medicare’s hospice benefit to boost their profits in lieu of patient care expropriate precious tax dollars intended for terminal patients in a time of great need,” said Special Agent in Charge Shimon R. Richmond of the U.S. Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG).

Whistleblowers

The Medicare fraud settlement was possible because the issue was first brought to the attention of the government by two whistleblowers, medical doctors formerly employed by the defendants. Plaintiffs John S. and Lewis C. filed their whistleblower lawsuit under the False Claims Act, alleging that their employers were submitting false claims to the United States government for hospice care services.

Indeed, according to the whistleblower lawsuit, these companies billed Medicare for patients who were not terminally ill and therefore not qualified for the hospice benefit. For their part in bringing this issue to the attention of the government, the whistleblowers received $476,373.73 from the recovery funds.

The Medicare fraud settlement was reached on May 18, 2018 in the Southern District of Florida.

Filing a Whistleblower Lawsuit

Many employees choose to come forward as whistleblowers because they do not feel right about their employer’s actions. A whistleblower lawsuit can be filed while working at the company, but can also be filed after having left the company. Blowing the whistle in this way calls attention to the fraud on behalf of the government.

Though it can be scary for an employee to blow the whistle, as they may be worried they will get in trouble or lose their job because of it, a whistleblower is usually given a substantial reward from any Medicare fraud settlement money the lawsuit reaches. For many who blow the whistle, this can be between 15 and 30 percent of the settlement money.

If you believe that your employer or former employer is participating in fraudulent or illegal behavior against the federal government, such as Medicare or Medicaid fraud, you may be able to file a whistleblower lawsuit on behalf of the government.