San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/14/2018 -- The Whistleblower Institute announces that Rotech Healthcare Inc reached a $9.68 million settlement in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former employee over knowingly submitting false claims for portable oxygen contents to Medicare.

Those who have a similar case or experienced a similar situation or any other wrongdoing within a corporation have certain options and should contact the Whistleblower Institute at mail@whistleblowerinstitute.com or call: 619-452–1218. There are no costs or obligations to you.

A settlement has been reached to resolve False Claims Act allegations against Rotech Healthcare Inc.

The allegations arose from a lawsuit that claimed Rotech Healthcare Inc knowingly submitted false claims for portable oxygen contents to Medicare.

According to the government, Rotech admitted to billing portable oxygen contents to Medicare for beneficiaries who did not use or require them. Furthermore, the company admitted to billing Medicare regardless of whether such contents were delivered.

"Many people believe that healthcare fraud is a victimless crime; I assure you it is not," said United States Attorney Joseph D. Brown of the Eastern District of Texas. "Medicare is funded largely by you and me, the American taxpayers, and fraud contributes to runaway health care costs. I commend the whistleblower who had the courage to come forward and who worked with investigators to get to the bottom of this case. Because of her, we were able to recoup millions of dollars improperly paid to Rotech."

Medicare covers the cost of renting certain portable and stationary oxygen equipment as well as the oxygen that is used with that equipment.

Reportedly, between January 2009 and March 2012, Rotech automatically billed Medicare for portable oxygen contents for all Medicare beneficiaries after the 36-month rental period, without verifying that the beneficiaries used or needed portable oxygen, and without obtaining the requisite proof of delivery. Rotech continued this practice despite knowing that it resulted in the submission of claims for portable oxygen contents that were ineligible for reimbursement.

The whistleblower, Janet Hale, a former employee in Rotech's billing department, share of the settlement will be approximately $1.65 million.

Based in Orlando, Florida, Rotech Healthcare Inc is a provider of home respiratory products.

The Whistleblower Institute is an information portal for current or former employees and other people having insight information about wrongdoing and other illegal activities by individuals either individually or within corporations, through company culture and or within international affairs. Whistleblowers should keep in mind that under the Dodd-Frank Act any person who provides the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") with original information that leads to a successful enforcement action with over $1 million recovered must be awarded between 10%-30% of the total amount recovered. In order to determine the total amount of the reward there are numerous factors that need to be considered. Whistleblower actions are complex and our goal is to guide any whistleblower every step of the way. The Whistleblower Institute is dedicated to partnering with any individual who have information about fraud and we work with many of the best law firms worldwide.

Those who have a similar case or experienced a similar situation or any other wrongdoing within a corporation have certain options and should contact the Whistleblower Institute.

Contact:
Whistleblower Institute
2534 State Street - Suite 406
San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Phone: +1 (619) 452–1218
Facsimile: +1 (619) 785 – 3185
Email: mail@whistleblowerinstitute.com

The material was prepared by the Whistleblower Institute for informational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. The information is provided only as general information which may or may not reflect the most currently available public information, is not provided as a basis for any established or existing relationship, and is not intended to constitute legal or financial advice, or to substitute for obtaining such advice from an attorney or other advisor licensed in your state.