04/26/2012 // San Francisco, CA, USA // Whistleblower Law Firm (Press Release) // Jeffrey Keller // (press release)
WellCare Health Plans, Inc. recently announced that it has fully settled complaints filed by four whistleblowers under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. The settlement resolves allegations that the company overcharged governmental health programs. The company previously acknowledged that it overcharged the Florida and Illinois health programs by approximately $46.5 million.
In June 2010, WellCare reached a settlement with the Civil Division of the United States Department of Justice in which it agreed to pay $137.5 million plus interest to resolve certain fraud allegations The final claimant in the lawsuit recently withdrew his objections to the proposed settlement, so the resolution is now final. The company will make payments over the next three years.
WellCare, based in Tampa, Florida, provides managed care services targeted to government-sponsored health care programs. It focuses on Medicaid and Medicare. Healthcare fraud costs these programs billions of dollars each year in improper and fraudulent payment for goods and services. Eliminating that fraud is a critical component in making sure these programs provide the best care to the program recipients in the most cost-effective way for the government. A whistleblower that alerts the government to fraud plays an invaluable role in assuring these programs run properly and is entitled to share in the government’s recovery of any funds paid pursuant to a court order or a settlement agreement in recognition of that important role.
If you believe a company has committed Medicare or Medicaid fraud and you would like to discuss your concerns with the whistleblower lawyers at Keller Grover LLP, contact the firm at 866-486-1537 or via email at [email protected]. A free confidential consultation with these experienced qui tam lawyers can help guide you through the process of filing a whistleblower complaint and help you manage the stress and uncertainty that comes along with the legal process.
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