All About The False Claims Act

The increase in the number of medicare frauds set in motion an unhealthy trend of false claims against doctors and physicians. This is why there was a need to bring in place a law that applies to the entire nation, across the various states. The law simply put, guard’s federal organizations involved in healthcare from false allegations and medicare claims. Not only does the False Claims Act defend these federal medical institutions, it also makes it illegal, and a crime to raise such false claims against these institutions. False Claims Act lawyers help falsely accused organizations and doctors undo the wrong they have been done.

Understanding The Punishments Under The Act

False Claims Act attorneys can help secure punishments for fraudsters who raise false medicare claims against medical or heath programs of the federal government. The punishments under the False Claims Act are mostly monetary fines. In addition to fines, the Act also provides for compensation or a recovery of money by the institution or doctor falsely accused. This recovery can amount to about three times what was falsely claimed and also include an additional punishment in the form a $5,500 to$11,000 penalty for each false claim.

The Protection Afforded By The Act

One of the greatest obstacles in this battle against false medicare claims is that frauds are most often not reported. The most common reason for the non-reporting of frauds are fear. This is why the False Claims Act affords protection to employees who offer information and report possible frauds. These employees, if discriminated due to having reported a fraud, are entitled to receive twice the pay that has been wrongly held back with interest and compensation. Employees who are wrongfully terminated for reporting are entitled to be reinstated without losing seniority.