"False Claims Act"

Published on: March 9, 2017

DOJ Provides Guidance for Corporate Compliance Programs in New Publication

On February 8, 2017, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) fraud section released new guidance for healthcare entities titled “Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs.” The new guidelines do not change any of the existing regulations, but rather provide corporate healthcare entities with added insight into how the DOJ assesses compliance violations.

The guidance mainly focuses on updated “Filip Factors,” which are the criteria under which the DOJ evaluates fraud. When a corporate healthcare entity comes under investigation for fraud under laws such as the False Claims Act (FCA), the DOJ has used the Filip Factors to evaluate the next steps to take, including whether to bring charges. Traditionally, characteristics such as whether the corporation has a suitable compliance program in place have been looked at closely when determining the severity of sanctions, and the new guidance continues with that trend.

The new guidance separates its factors into eleven different categories, and provides many example inquiries for each:

Published on: June 4, 2013

Pharmaceutical Company Violates Anti-Kickback Statute and Pleads Guilty to Fraud

by Wachler & Associates, P.C.

On Friday, May 24, 2013, ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company recently acquired by Bausch & Lomb, Inc., pled guilty to violating the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute and the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). Under the terms of a civil settlement agreement and ISTA’s guilty plea, the pharmaceutical company has agreed to pay a total of $33.5 million to states and the federal government in fines and fees for conspiracy, misbranding, false submissions to government health care programs, and under whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act.

The Anti-kickback Statute provides criminal penalties for companies who knowingly and willfully offer, pay, solicit or receive remuneration in order to induce business payable by Medicare or Medicaid. According to the Department of Justice’s press release, ISTA violated the Anti-kickback statute by offering doctors illegal inducements, such as wine tastings and golf outings, in order to persuade doctors to prescribe ISTA’s eye drug, Xibrom, to their patients.

Under the FDCA, companies may not introduce drugs into interstate commerce for uses that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Although the Food and Drug Administration approved ISTA’s eye drug, Xibrom, for pain and inflammation after cataract surgery, ISTA pled guilty to marketing Xibrom for unapproved uses, such as to prevent swelling of the retina and to prevent cystoid macular edema.

Published on: December 3, 2010

The Justice Department Announces $3 Billion Recovery from Pursuing False Claims Against the Federal Government

by Wachler & Associates, P.C.

The United States Justice Department reported that in 2009 it collected $3 billion from pursuing health care fraud and other false claims against the federal government. More than 80% of the recoveries were from healthcare fraud, including qui tam actions under the False Claims Act. Bloomberg News reported that Tony West, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Justice Department’s civil division, stated that the Justice Department would hold those who violate the federal False Claims Act accountable, whether they are a corporation or individual. The $3 billion recovery in 2009, the second largest in history, is evidence of the aggressive nature with which the DOJ is pursuing False Claims Act violations.

False Claims Act violations can give rise from submission of claims for services not rendered, submission of claims for services that were not medically necessary or were improperly coded and billed. Further, as a result of the health care reform legislation, False Claims liability can attach to the retention of a known overpayment that is not refunded within 60 days of identification. For more on the False Claims Act, or for assistance with health care regulatory or billing matters, please visit www.wachler.com or contact a Wachler & Associates attorney at 248-544-0888.