Young Law Group Announces Investigation of Home Health Care Medicare Billing Following Amedisys Whistleblower Lawsuit Settlement
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) April 25, 2014 -- Young Law Group has opened an investigation into the billing practices of home health care agencies following the $150 million settlement between the Justice Department and Amedisys. Other companies in the industry may be billing Medicare for services that are not medically necessary or misrepresenting the conditions of patients to increase the amount paid by Medicare. Additionally, employees who have evidence of financial relationships between referring physicians and these corporations should consult with an attorney in order to determine whether the relationship is proper or an illegal kickback.
The Justice Department, in the press release announcing the Amedisys settlement, reiterated its commitment to ensuring home health providers do not waste taxpayer dollars given its growing role in the federal health care system. Individuals with evidence of health care fraud in the home health industry can discuss their rights and report their evidence to the attorneys of Young Law Group by confidential phone call to 1-800-590-4116.
“Whistleblowers who report misconduct help the United States to recover billions of taxpayer dollars every year that would otherwise be lost to companies engaged in fraud,” declared Eric L. Young, Esq., Managing Partner of Young Law Group. “Other employees of home health providers should become educated about the lawsuit and the rights of whistleblowers in case their company is engaged in similar legal violations.”
Amedisys is a home health and hospice care provider that offers care for more than 360,000 states in 37 states and the District of Columbia. The Justice Department alleged that Amedisys billed Medicare for patients that were not homebound and services that were medically unnecessary. The violations happened, according to the DOJ, because of pressure by management to enhance profits.
The Justice Department also alleged Amedisys had improper financial relationships with a physician practice under the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law. These laws restrict financial relationships between Medicare providers and doctors referring patients to them. Amedisys employees were accused of providing patient care coordination services to a private Georgia oncology practice at below-market prices.
The government was informed of the Amedisys fraud by seven whistleblowers, primarily former employees of Amedisys. The False Claims Act permits whistleblowers to report fraud against Medicare and share in the government's recovery by bringing a qui tam lawsuit. Eligible whistleblowers may receive an award of between 15 and 30 percent of the government's proceeds from their lawsuit. More than $4 billion has been paid to whistleblowers under the False Claims Act since 1986.
The lawsuits against Amedisys are captioned United States ex rel. CAF Partners et al. v. Amedisys, Inc. et al. 10-cv-2323 (E.D. Pa.); United States ex rel. Brown v. Amedisys, Inc. et al., 13-cv-2803 (E.D. Pa.); United States ex rel. Umberhandt v. Amedisys, Inc., 13-cv-2789 (E.D. Pa.); United States ex rel. Doe et al. v. Amedisys, Inc., 13-cv-3187 (E.D. Pa.); United States ex rel. Ognen et al. v. Amedisys, Inc. et al. 13-cv-4232 (E.D. Pa.); United States ex rel. Lewis v. Amedisys, Inc., 13-cv-3359 (E.D. Pa.); and United States ex rel. Natalie Raven et al. v. Amedisys, Inc. et al., 11-cv-0994 (N.D. Ga.).
About Young Law Group, P.C.
Young Law Group represents whistleblowers reporting health care fraud to the U.S. Government via qui tam lawsuits permitted by the False Claims Act. Young Law Group also represents individuals reporting securities fraud to the SEC/CFTC programs and tax evasion to the IRS.
Eric L. Young, Esq., Managing Partner of Young Law Group, represented the first whistleblower awarded compensation by the IRS under the mandatory reward program created following the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006. Young has also served as an expert witness in areas of U.S. whistleblower law and represented clients in some of the largest qui tam recoveries, including United States ex. rel. Lucia Paccione v. Cephalon Inc., E.D.P.A., 03-CV-6268.
For a free, confidential case evaluation and discussion about whistleblower laws and rights, please call Eric Young, Esq., at 1-800-590-4116.
Young Law Group, P.C., is a private law office located at 123 S. Broad St., Ste 1920, Philadelphia, PA 19109 with attorneys licensed to practice in Pennsylvania. The firm will associate with local counsel in other jurisdictions when necessary. Young Law Group may not be able to represent residents of all states.
Learn more about Eric Young, Esq., and Young Law Group at http://eganyoung.com
ERIC YOUNG, YOUNG LAW GROUP, http://eganyoung.com, (800) 590-4116, [email protected]
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