$2.2 Million Settlement in Home Health Whistleblower Case

The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) provides benefits to eligible current and former Department of Energy workers who develop illnesses after exposure to radiation, beryllium, silica, or other toxic substances on the job, as well as to eligible survivors. When a covered illness requires home health care, the program can pay providers for that care. If the provider submits improper claims to the government for payment, then that provider can become liable under the False Claims Act (FCA).

Our firm represented whistleblowers in a False Claims Act case involving EEOICPA provider, Nuclear Care Partners (United States v. Nuclear Care Partners, LLC, No. 3:23-cv-464 (E.D. Tenn.)). The case recently resolved for $2.2 million. The whistleblowers received 26% of the recovery as a reward for coming forward with information.

In another EEOICPA case, United States ex rel. Cass v. Atlantic Home Health Care LLC, the Justice Department alleged that a home health provider billed the program for nursing and personal care when its employees were not present in patients’ homes. Atlantic Home Health Care paid nearly $10 million to settle the case. The government also alleged that the company offered cash for patient referrals and paid for food, internet, travel, and other expenses for patients and their families. The Justice Department describes the case on its website: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/home-healthcare-company-agrees-pay-nearly-10-million-resolve-false-claims-act-allegations

If you work for a home health company that participates in EEOICPA and have concerns about billing practices, contact our attorneys for a free, confidential consultation to assess your case.