ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
The federal government has joined a whistleblower lawsuit against two hospital operators. The hospital operators were accused of fraudulently billing Medicare and Medicaid. The healthcare industry has been the target of many false claims cases recently. Many of the whistleblower cases contain fraudulent billing allegations. Los Angeles whistleblower attorneys have seen an uptick in the number of false claims allegations related to the health care industry.
In this case, the false claims lawsuit was filed last year against Texas based Tenet Healthcare Corp. The allegations pertain to facilities in Georgia and South Carolina. It is alleged that the hospital chain entered into contracts with obstetric clinics operated by Hispanic Medical Management and Clinica de la Mama and their affiliates. It is alleged that these providers primarily provide services to women who do not have authorization to be in the country. The lawsuit alleges that the clinics referred the women to hospitals in exchange for kickbacks from false claims. Los Angeles whistleblower attorneys are glad that false claims are being reported more often.
According to Tenet Healthcare Corp., the agreements were appropriate and provided substantial benefits to women in underserved communities. The whistleblower lawsuit was filed by Ralph Williams, a former chief financial officer for Health Management Associates. He claimed that the kickback scheme took place for more than ten years. The state of Georgia has also joined the lawsuit to recover state Medicaid money. Los Angeles whistleblower attorneys are glad that taxpayer money will be recovered.
The Department of Justice stated that it is committed to ensuring that health care providers who pay kickbacks in return for patient referrals are held accountable.
Evans Law Firm, Inc. handles whistleblower/false claims, consumer fraud class actions, insurance and banking fraud, consumer product liability, elder abuse, and personal injury cases. If you think that you have witnessed or are the victim of financial fraud by an insurance company, bank or individual then, contact Evans Law Firm, Inc. at (415) 441-8669 for a free and confidential consultation, or email info@evanslaw.com.
