U.S. False Claims Act
Understand and describe the U.S. False Claims Act and the implications.
What you'll learn
- Describe the U.S. False Claims Act and the implications for organizations and employees in medical and healthcare fields.
- Provide examples of types of conduct that fall under the description of false claims.
- State the penalties for false claims.
- Describe the "qui tam" or "whistle blower" provisions provided in the U.S. False Claims Act.
- Provide some examples of activities that represent steps an organization can take to follow the law.
The U.S. False Claims Act is a federal law, under which any entity or person who submits false claims for payment from government agencies can be prosecuted. The act prohibits knowingly submitting (or causing to be submitted) false claims for payment, or submitting a false statement that is material to a false claim. This act also contains “whistle blower” or “qui tam” provisions, which allow for persons who have evidence of fraud against government programs to sue for recovery of payments made for false claims. Whistle blowers may receive between 10 and 25 percent of funds recovered. The importance of this federal law to organizations and employees of organizations that sell and distribute medical devices, technology, software, pharmaceuticals, and provide health care or medical products cannot be overstated. Each organization and its employees must recognize the boundaries and implications in order to prevent fraud and stay within the law, while allowing the organization to be productive and profitable.
