Virginia Medicaid Fraud Attorney

Medicare and Medicaid fraud are among the most prevalent types of deception committed against the Government, resulting in billions of dollars in losses annually.  Virginia Medicaid fraud lawyer Mark Hurt helps not only helps individuals blow the whistle on those committing fraud, he also seeks for them the substantial compensation that may be available in a successful case, and helps protect them from illegal retaliation (such as job termination).

If you are aware of Medicaid fraud against the federal government, learn about your reporting options and the reward to which you may be entitled.  Call our office today for a free consultation!

We accept Medicaid fraud and other federal False Claims Act cases on a contingency basis, so you will not be out of pocket any legal fees while a fraud claim is proceeding.  If a False Claim Act case is successful, both our fees and your reward will be determined by a judge in accordance with the False Claims Act statute.

What Constitutes Medicaid Fraud?

Medicaid fraud occurs when a physician, hospital, clinic, medical office, or another healthcare provider:

• Requests Medicaid funds to which it is not entitled;
• Fails to return funds to which it is not eligible; and/or
• Pays kickbacks to obtain additional Medicaid patients.

Under the federal False Claims Act (“FCA”), anyone with evidence regarding systemic Medicaid fraud can file what is known as a “Qui Tam lawsuit on behalf of the Government. If funds are recovered, the whistleblower may be entitled to a substantial reward for their courageous role in helping the federal government recover money under the False Claims Act and Qui Tam provisions.

Medicaid fraud harms our entire society, as payments cannot otherwise be utilized to pay for medical treatments that are genuinely needed. If you are aware of Medicaid fraud, we urge you to call The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt to learn about the compensation to which you may be entitled. As a healthcare fraud attorney with decades of experience, Mark offers a free consultation and only receives a fee if compensation is recovered.

What is the False Claims Act?

Under the False Claims Act, also referred to as the “Lincoln Law,” private citizens are entitled to file lawsuits (called “qui tam” suits) on behalf of the Government against individuals, businesses, and entities perpetuating fraud against the federal government.  Many states also have corresponding laws for fraud perpetuated against a state government.

To encourage exposing rampant misconduct, the False Claims Act provides for compensation to be paid to the first whistleblower in the event of a successful outcome, based upon a percentage of the amount that is ultimately recovered.  Because only the first whistleblower bringing a claim is potentially entitled to compensation, if you are aware of fraud you should only discuss this matter with an experienced Medicaid fraud attorney (as otherwise, another person learning about the fraud may bring a claim before you).

To Whom Does the False Claim Act Apply?

The False Claims Act applies to any individual who:

• knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval;
• knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement to get claim approval;
• conspires to commit certain violations;
• has possession, custody, or control of property or money used, or to be used, by the Government and knowingly delivers, or causes to be delivered, less than all of that money or property;
• is authorized to make or deliver a document certifying receipt of property used, or to be used, by the Government and, intending to defraud the Government, makes or delivers the receipt without completely knowing that the information on the receipt is true;
• knowingly buys, or receives as a pledge of an obligation or debt, public property from an officer or employee of the Government, or a member of the Armed Forces, who lawfully may not sell or pledge property; or
• knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Government, or knowingly conceals or knowingly and improperly avoids or decreases an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the Government.

How Does Medicaid Fraud Occur?

Common Medicaid fraud cases often consist of:

• Billing for services that were not medically necessary;
• Billing for procedures or services never performed;
• Billing for supplies that were not delivered;
• Upcoding (intentionally billing for services using the wrong code to receive a higher reimbursement rate);
• Unbundling (billing for services that should be combined to receive a higher reimbursement);
• Split billing (billing for numerous medical procedures over an extended period of time when the treatment transpired during a single visit);
• Offering kickbacks; or
• Billing for provider services when the physician was not present at the time of service.

If you are a whistleblower with information regarding healthcare fraud, Medicaid fraud lawyer Mark Hurt can evaluate your claim and potentially file a suit, which, if successful, could result in a substantial financial reward.

At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we have over two decades of experience successfully representing clients in a number of different matters. Call us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your right to potential compensation.

How Much Are Whistleblowers Entitled to Recover in a False Claims Act Case?

Healthcare fraud whistleblowers can receive significant compensation for their efforts to combat Medicaid fraud. The False Claims Act provides that citizens who successfully report fraud are entitled to between 15 and 25 percent of the Government’s recovery (depending upon the extent to which the person substantially contributed to the prosecution of the action).

Considering the number of Americans utilizing Government healthcare and the vast resources devoted to the Medicaid benefit program, it is perhaps unsurprising that Medicare and Medicaid cases account for some of the largest qui tam recoveries. For example, in one year alone, the federal Government paid nearly $600 million to whistleblowers who reported Medicaid fraud.

Can I Be Retaliated Against for Whistleblowing or Filing a Claim Under the False Claims Act?

Under federal and state laws, whistleblowers are entitled to receive protection from being fired, demoted, or subjected to hostile working conditions for reporting wrongful practices of an employer. As an experienced Virginia whistleblower attorney, Mark Hurt helps individuals recover damages for illegal retaliation and termination, such as lost compensation and benefits, if they are subjected to these matters.

If you are considering taking steps to expose illegal Medicaid billing at your workplace, we urge you to call our office before taking any action. As a healthcare fraud attorney with decades of experience, firm-founding attorney Mark Hurt can seek to protect you from any potential backlash, including illegal retaliation or termination. If you have already reported fraudulent conduct and have suffered negative repercussions, or if you are subsequently subjected to illegal retaliation or termination, we are also available to help.

If You Are Considering Filing a Whistleblower Action, Schedule a Free Consultation with An Experienced Virginia Medicaid Fraud Lawyer Today.

If you are aware of illegal Medicaid practices, please call our office to learn about the options that may be available for exposing such fraud against the Government. We provide a free consultation, and there is no fee to initiate a False Claims Act case, as we are only entitled to a fee if compensation is recovered.