NEW YORK CITY PAYS $70 MILLION IN MEDICAID OVERBILLING WHISTLEBLOWER SUIT

New York City is paying Uncle Same $70 Million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit saying the city overbilled Medicaid by improperly approving home care for frail and elderly clinets. The city has acknowledged that for ten years, from 2000 to 2010, it had re-authorized personal care for patients without having physically obtained the required assessments from doctors, nurses or social workers. It also did not get the required “independent medical reviews,” as required when there was a dispute as to the amount of care needed. The complaint was brought by whistleblower Dr. Gabriel Feldman, an independent medical reviewer in a private agency under contract to the city. He will receive $14.7 million of the $70 million settlement.