The following is a roundup of False Claims Act stories reported in the last 30 days, beginning with the most recent.
1. AHA urges Supreme Court to reverse ruling greatly expanding reach of False Claims Act
The American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that applied the Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act to a civil False Claims Act case.
2. Applying the FCA to conduct under the Medicare Part D program
The government and whistle-blowers have shifted their focus from drug manufacturers to parties that regularly contract with manufacturers, including Medicare Part D plan sponsors, as a target for False Claims Act investigations and lawsuits.
3. 10 largest False Claims, Stark Law and Anti-Kickback settlements of 2014
This year is on track be a record-breaking one for government recoveries in the healthcare industry, with several cases alleging violations of the False Claims Act, Stark Law or the Anti-Kickback Statute already settling for substantial amounts.
4. Serial whistle-blowers make millions filing multiple FCA suits
People are making careers out of filing False Claims Act lawsuits against healthcare companies, causing some to question the incentives provided to whistle-blowers
5. Reduced penalties under the False Claims Act proposed
A proposal at a recent Congressional hearing involved altering False Claims Act penalties by reducing the punishment imposed on healthcare organizations that self report violations.
More articles on the False Claims Act:
10 recent healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements
New York Heart Center to pay $1.34 million to settle FCA, Stark Law allegations
Carondelet Health Network to pay $35M in Arizona's largest FCA settlement