Federal Contractor Pays More Than $900,000 To Resolve False Claims Act Case (Health Care Billing Misconduct)

On March 8th, 2022, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a press release confirming that Comprehensive Health Services LLC (CHS)—a healthcare industry services contractor based in Florida—has agreed to pay the federal government $930,000 to resolve a False Claims Act (FCA) lawsuit. The claim was initially filed by a whistleblower. In this article, our Florida healthcare billing fraud lawyers provide an overview of the allegations raised against the contractor.

False Claims Act Violation: Medical Services Contractor Overbilled Government 

Comprehensive Health Services LLC (CHS) is a workforce-focused medical services company with a location in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The private company entered into a contract with the U.S. Statement Department and the United States Air Force (USAF) to provide services related to electronic medical records (EMRs).

According to the settlement announced by the DOJ, the CHS has consented to government findings that it improperly misrepresented its handling of electronic medical records between 2012 and 2019. As a consequence, the Florida-based medical services company overbilled the federal government. It will pay $930,000 to resolve the False Claim Act lawsuit. 

Whistleblowers Often Help to Expose Billing Fraud—May Be Entitled to Compensation 

Federal agencies are tasked with protecting the resources of taxpayers. Unfortunately, billing fraud remains a serious problem—particularly in areas related to health care services and defense industry contracts. For a number of different reasons, it is often difficult for the federal government to uncover fraudulent billing practices. Agencies rely heavily on private sector employees and other knowledgeable insiders to come forward as whistleblowers and report improper billing practices. The False Claims Act is a federal law that allows individual whistleblowers to effectively “step into the shoes” of the federal government and bring a claim on behalf of taxpayers. Through a successful False Claim Act lawsuit (qui tam claim) a whistleblower can recover compensation.

That is exactly how the health care billing fraud was uncovered in the case involving Florida’s Comprehensive Health Services LLC. As reported by the DOJ, the claim against CHS was initially filed by an individual whistleblower as a qui tam lawsuit. The whistleblower possessed non-public information about the improper billing practices used by the medical services company. Consistent with the provisions of the False Claim Act, the whistleblower, who was not publicly named by the DOJ, is entitled to a portion of the funds recovered by the federal government.

Call Our Florida Federal False Claims Act Whistleblower Attorneys for Help 

At Guttman, Freidin & Celler, we provide legal guidance and support to whistleblowers nationwide, including in healthcare billing fraud cases. If you or someone you know needs assistance with a federal False Claim Act case, we are here as a resource. For a no cost, strictly confidential initial consultation, please contact us today. Our team is standing by, ready to get started on your case. From our Miami law office, we handle federal FCA claims throughout the entire State of Florida.

Resource:

justice.gov/opa/pr/medical-services-contractor-pays-930000-settle-false-claims-act-allegations-relating-medical