Minnesota Hospital to Pay U.S. nearly $1 Million to Resolve Qui tam Allegations Admissions
The year is starting off on the right tone with qui tam settlements for Medicare fraud. The Minnesota case United States ex rel. Steven Radjenovich v. Stanley Gallagher, et al., Case No.: 04-4538 (D. Minn.) was settled for $846,461 today.
According to the Department of Justice, Wheaton Community Hospital knowingly made false claims to Medicare for unreasonable and unnecessary hospital admissions. These false claims were made from 1998 to 2004. The hospital billed Medicare for acute patient care that was not medically necessary.
Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division stated the following:
"Hospitals and doctors have a responsibility to provide patients with reasonable and necessary care. When they neglect those obligations, patients and taxpayers suffer."
The whistleblower in this case will be awarded $203,150, as his share of the settlement with Wheaton Community Hospital. In a qui tam case, the whistleblower's reward or relator's award can be anywhere from 15% to 30%, depending upon the level of the government's involvement in the case.
If you are a whistleblower and have pertinent information on Medicare, Medicaid fraud or any other false claims act violations from a company, protect your rights and contact a qualified qui tam attorney to discuss how to protect your rights.
