Michigan False Claims Act - Jeff Newman Law

Michigan Medicaid False Claims Act allows whistleblowers to report fraud and receive 15-30% of the proceeds in a successful qui tam action

Any person can bring a civil action in the name of this state, known as a qui tam action, for violations of the Medicaid False Claim Act. Violations of the Act include submitting fraudulent invoices for payment to the Stateā€™s Medicaid program and/or offering or receiving kickbacks/bribes for services. Violators are liable for a civil penalty of $5,000 ā€“ $10,000 for each claim, plus triple the amount of damages suffered by the state as a result of the conduct by the person.

In the event of a successful qui tam action, the whistleblower is entitled to 15-30% of the monetary proceeds resulting from the action or any settlement of the claim; plus an amount for case expenses, costs, and reasonable attorney fees. The statute protects the whistleblower against retaliation for engaging in protected activates and reporting fraud.

Section 3 of the Medicaid False Claim Act states:

(1) A person shall not knowingly make or cause to be made a false statement or false representation of a material fact in an application for Medicaid benefits.

(2) A person shall not knowingly make or cause to be made a false statement or false representation of a material fact for use in determining rights to a Medicaid benefit.

(3) A person, who having knowledge of the occurrence of an event affecting his initial or continued right to receive a Medicaid benefit or the initial or continued right of any other person on whose behalf he has applied for or is receiving a benefit, shall not conceal or fail to disclose that event with intent to obtain a benefit to which the person or any other person is not entitled or in an amount greater than that to which the person or any other person is entitled.

Section 4 of the Medicaid False Claim Act states:

A person who solicits, offers, or receives a kickback or bribe in connection with the furnishing of goods or services for which payment is or may be made in whole or in part pursuant to a program established under Act No. 280 of the Public Acts of 1939, as amended, who makes or receives the payment, or who receives a rebate of a fee or charge for referring an individual to another person for the furnishing of the goods and services is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years, or by a fine of not more than $30,000.00, or both.

Section 5 of the Medicaid False Claim Act states:

(1) A person shall not knowingly and wilfully make, or induce or seek to induce the making of, a false statement or false representation of a material fact with respect to the conditions or operation of an institution or facility in order that the institution or facility may qualify, upon initial certification or upon recertification, as a hospital, skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility, or home health agency.

(2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years, or by a fine of not more than $30,000.00, or both.

Section 6 of the Medicaid False Claim Act states:

1) A person shall not enter into an agreement, combination, or conspiracy to defraud the state by obtaining or aiding another to obtain the payment or allowance of a false claim under the social welfare act, Act No. 280 of the Public Acts of 1939, as amended, being sections 400.1 to 400.121 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

(2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or by a fine of not more than $50,000.00, or both.

Section 7 of the Medicaid False Claim Act states:

(1) A person shall not make or present or cause to be made or presented to an employee or officer of this state a claim under the social welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.1 to 400.119b, upon or against the state, knowing the claim to be false.

(2) A person shall not make or present or cause to be made or presented a claim under the social welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.1 to 400.119b, that he or she knows falsely represents that the goods or services for which the claim is made were medically necessary in accordance with professionally accepted standards. Each claim violating this subsection is a separate offense. A health facility or agency is not liable under this subsection unless the health facility or agency, pursuant to a conspiracy, combination, or collusion with a physician or other provider, falsely represents the medical necessity of the particular goods or services for which the claim was made.

(3) A person shall not knowingly make, use, or cause to be made or used a false record or statement to conceal, avoid, or decrease an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the state pertaining to a claim presented under the social welfare act.

(4) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $50,000.00, or both.

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