May 13, 2013 — The U.S. Justice Department relies on the False Claims Act to combat Medicare fraud and return millions of dollars each year to American taxpayers. The qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act enable employees with medical equipment suppliers who become aware of fraudulent Medicare schemes to sue those involved for the benefit of the government. Informants keep a share of any monies collected. Insider employees are typically in an ideal position to spot fraud first and take action by filing a False Claims Act lawsuit.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Medicare Fraud Involving Medically Unnecessary Power Wheelchairs
A former owner of a California medical equipment supply company has pleaded guilty to Medicare fraud. Tigran Aklyan owned and operated Las Tunas Medical Equipment Inc. in San Gabriel, California near Los Angeles. Between October 2007 and May 2009, Aklyan used the durable medical equipment (DME) supply company to provide power wheelchairs and other DME that were not medically necessary to Medicare beneficiaries. Aklyan and his co-conspirators then submitted false claims to the federal healthcare program. Aklyan paid fraudulent medical clinics to provide the required medical documentation and prescriptions to support the false claims to Medicare.
Between December 2007 and February 2009, Las Tunas submitted over $900,000 in false claims to Medicare for the wheelchairs and related services. Medicare reimbursed Aklyan more than $650,000 for the fraudulent claims. At sentencing, Aklyan could receive as much as a $250,000 fine and ten years in prison.
Health Care Employees Often Tipsters in False Claims Act Lawsuits
False Claims Act violations involving Medicare fraud usually come to light when concerned insiders notify someone. It takes a lot of courage to come forward. Tipsters willing to collaborate with the government deserve to understand their own legal rights before taking action. With whistleblower lawyers across the country, Waters & Kraus provides insider employees with the experienced legal representation they deserve. Contact us by email or call our qui tam attorneys at 855.784.0268 to learn how we can safeguard and maximze your interests.
