Stealing or withholding money from the United States government through fraudulent means is never okay. When hospitals, clinics, or organizations commit healthcare fraud, it ultimately hurts the American people, not just the U.S. government.
If you have discovered that your place of employment is committing healthcare fraud, you might be unsure about what to do next. Coming forward with this information can seem daunting. A Dallas healthcare fraud lawyer can help you with every aspect your qui tam case. Schedule a free and confidential consultation with our whistleblower attorneys today to learn more about the potential rewards for speaking up.
What is Healthcare Fraud?
Healthcare fraud has to do with fraud involving government funded medical services. Hospitals and other medical groups sometimes cheat US government healthcare programs out of money. Examples of US government healthcare programs include Medicare and Medicaid. Hospitals commit healthcare fraud for many reasons, but in the end, it hurts patients and taxpayers alike.
For example, when you go to a Dallas hospital for surgery and use Medicare as your health insurance, the hospital sends the bill to Medicare for your procedure. If they overcharge Medicare for the service by saying a specialist did the procedure when a general physician actually did the procedure, this would be an example of healthcare fraud.
How do I Report Healthcare Fraud in the Dallas Area?
The False Claims Act is a federal law that allows anyone to report fraud that is happening against the US government. Texas has its own whistleblower law that allows whistleblowers is Dallas and throughout the rest of Texas to sue anyone who has committed fraud against the state government.
The healthcare field employs many people in Texas. You might discover fraud happening at your Dallas facility, especially if you have regular access to billing records or other key documents that might show fraud.
If you discover that healthcare fraud is happening where you work, you need to disclose this information. Under the False Claims Act or the state whistleblower law, you might be eligible to file a qui tam lawsuit, but you must do so through a qui tam law firm with the help of a whistleblower attorney.
How Does the False Claims Act Reward and Protect Whistleblowers in the Dallas Area?
When you file a healthcare fraud whistleblower lawsuit under either the federal or state qui tam law, you can keep a percentage of the amount of recovered funds if your case is successful.
Furthermore, both the federal False Claims Act and the Texas Whistleblower Act protect healthcare fraud whistleblowers in Dallas from employer retaliation. Prohibited employment actions in response to a whistleblower’s protected disclosure include:
- Termination
- Demotion
- Reduced pay or benefits
- Harassment
- Discrimination
- Threats
A Dallas healthcare fraud whistleblower who experiences employer retaliation after making a protected disclosure can file a separate claim for damages such as reinstatement, restored benefits, front and back pay for unpaid wages, and attorneys’ fees. The qui tam attorneys with Tycko & Zavareei LLP can assist with all claims involving employer retaliation against a Dallas healthcare fraud whistleblower.
How Can a Dallas Healthcare Fraud Lawyer Help Me?
Finding the right healthcare fraud attorney is essential. If you come forward as a whistleblower to report healthcare fraud in Dallas, the legal process can be highly confusing and difficult to do independently. Working with an attorney can help make the process easier. Our team can help you review the evidence you have collected and see if you are eligible to file a healthcare fraud whistleblower lawsuit in Dallas.
We are familiar with the whistleblower laws in the State of Texas and can advise you on how they may impact your Dallas healthcare fraud case. We will help you with the necessary paperwork to ensure you do not miss any deadlines for filing a healthcare fraud whistleblower lawsuit in Dallas, TX.
Coming forward with information about healthcare fraud in Dallas can be scary. We want to make sure that the process goes as smoothly as possible for you. We will strive to the best of our ability to represent you, protect your rights as a whistleblower, and encourage the government to intervene in your case.
What Amount Can I Recover in a Dallas Whistleblower Lawsuit?
The exact amount you can get from a healthcare fraud whistleblower lawsuit in Dallas will vary depending on your circumstances. Under the False Claims Act, you will be eligible to recover a certain percentage of the amount won in your case, typically between 15 and 30 percent. Under the Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act, you can recover between 10 and 30 percent, depending on your circumstances.
Costs of Hiring a Dallas Healthcare Fraud Lawyer
You might be worried about whether or not you can afford a lawyer for your Dallas healthcare fraud case. Finding a whistleblower attorney who specializes in healthcare fraud can make all the difference in your case. Tycko & Zavareei LLP uses a contingency fee structure. You do not pay for our services initially. We only accept payment if you win your case. We take a percentage of the amount you win to cover any legal services at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Schedule a Consultation Today with a Dallas Healthcare Fraud Attorney
The lawyers at Tycko & Zavareei LLP specialize in whistleblower cases, including those involving healthcare fraud. We are proud to serve our clients in the Dallas area and are familiar with healthcare fraud laws in Texas. We can help you with your case every step of the way so you can confidently come forward with vital information.
We are ready to start the process and answer your questions. Call us today for your free and completely confidential consultation.
