San Diego, CA -- (SBWire) -- 09/19/2017 --The Whistleblower Institute announces that three Ohio Companies and their Executives reached a $19.5 million settlement in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by former employees over submitting false claims for medically unnecessary rehabilitation therapy and hospice services 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 Foundations Health Solutions Inc, Olympia Therapy Inc, and Tridia Hospice Care Inc, and their executives, Brian Colleran and Daniel Parker.
The allegations arose from lawsuits that claimed Foundations Health Solutions Inc, Olympia Therapy Inc, and Tridia Hospice Care Inc, and their executives, Brian Colleran and Daniel Parker submitted false claims for medically unnecessary rehabilitation therapy and hospice services to Medicare.
Foundations Health Solutions Inc (FHS) is the corporate successor to Provider Services Inc (PSI), which provided management services to skilled nursing facilities. In 2010, PSI merged with BCFL Holdings Inc. In 2013, the company was renamed Foundation Health Solutions.
Olympia provided rehabilitation therapy services at skilled nursing facilities that were managed by PSI and BCFL. Tridia provided hospice care services.
Brian Colleran and Daniel Parker are the executives who partially controlled or owned PSI, BCFL, FHS, Olympia, and Tridia at various times between 2008 and 2013.
According to the Justice Department, between 2008 and 2012, Olympia and PSI/BCFL allegedly submitted false claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary rehabilitation therapy services at 18 skilled nursing facilities. A government investigation showed that the rehab was allegedly provided at medically unnecessary levels in order to fraudulently maximize Medicare reimbursement for the services.
Allegedly, between 2011 and 2013, Tridia submitted false claims to Medicare for hospice services provided to patients considered ineligible to receive hospice benefits from Medicare. During this time, Tridia allegedly failed to conduct proper certifications or medical examinations for certain patients, which made them ineligible to receive Medicare hospice benefits.
Allegedly, between January 2008 through December 2012, Colleran and Parker solicited and received kickbacks in return for referring patients from skilled nursing facilities managed by PSI or BCFL to Amber Home Care, a Columbus, Ohio home health care services provider.
Reportedly, FHS and Colleran will enter into a five-year corporate integrity agreement with the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).
The settlement agreement resolves allegations brought forward by whistleblowers, Vladimir Trakhter, a former Olympia employee, and Paula Bourne and La'Tasha Goodwin, both former employees at Tridia. Vladimir Trahkter will receive approximately a reward of $2.9 million and Paula Bourne and La'Tasha Goodwin together will share approximately $740,000.
"Clinical decisions should be based on patient needs rather than corporate profits," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler of the Justice Department's Civil Division. "This settlement reflects the Department's continuing commitment to safeguarding patients and the Medicare system."
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
$19.5 Million Settlement over False Claims Act Allegations Against Three Ohio Companies and Their Executives
The Whistleblower Institute announces that three Ohio Companies and their Executives reached a $19.5 million settlement in a whistleblower lawsuit.