Whistleblowers Rewarded For Revealing Healthcare Fraud

One June 3, 2009, The United States Attorney Office, District of Hawaii, announced that Queen’s Medical Center (QMC) of Honolulu has paid $2.5 million to resolve allegations that it overbilled Medicare, Hawaii’s Medicaid, and TRICARE. This marks the settlement of two congruent lawsuits that were filed by two “whistleblowers” that were former pharmacy technicians at QMC.

Under the federal and State of Hawaii False Claims Acts, the government is able to recover up to triple damages, plus penalties, for fraudulent claims made to government programs. Of the $2.5 million QMC has paid, the government received $2 million, of which it shared $400,000 with the whistleblowers. United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii Edward H. Kubo, Jr., praised the two technicians for their courage in coming forward with the case.

As part of the settlement, QMC, the largest private hospital in Hawaii, will maintain a compliance program to ensure its fulfillment of all applicable program rules and requirements for the next five years. The hospital has pledged to continue its efforts to provide high quality health care while complying with health care rules.

In the case, the former technicians alleged that QMC submitted false bills for medications it dispensed and billed federal programs for services the hospital was not eligible to perform. While QMC has agreed to the settlement, it has denied the government’s contentions.

If you are witnessing fraud on the government, contact us by calling 800-377-1812 for strictly confidential advice from experienced counsel, with no fee obligation.