Latest DOJ Statistics
DOJ Statistics Evidence Increased Healthcare Qui Tam Filings and Recoveries
Every year, the United States Department of Justice releases its annual tabulation of False Claims Act settlements and judgments, providing a cumulative look at recoveries dating back to the 1986 FCA Amendments. As of fiscal year 2021, the Report confirms the enormous power of the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act in the battle against Healthcare Fraud:
$5.6 billion in settlements and judgments were reported to have been recovered in fiscal year 2021, and over $1.6 billion arose from lawsuits filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. During the same period, the government paid out $237 million to the heroic individuals who exposed fraud and false claims by filing these actions. Also, 598 qui tam lawsuits were filed in fiscal year 2021 – an average of over 11 new cases every week.
In addition to the preceding fiscal year, the statistics demonstrating the long-term success of the FCA continue to show significant impact; there has been $68 billion recovered since 1986, of which approximately 70% was recovered via qui tam actions. Of the $68 billion recovered under the False Claims Act since 1986, approximately $48 billion involved fraud on Medicare, Medicaid, and other healthcare programs.
- $8.0 billion in relator share awards paid to successful whistleblowers since 1986. Of that amount, heathcare qui tam whistleblowers have received awards totaling $6.2 billion.
- 14,595 qui tam actions filed since 1986. Roughly 600-700 new qui tam cases are filed each year.
- 8,934 healthcare qui tam actions filed since 1986.
Nolan Auerbach & White attorneys have vast experience prosecuting qui tam lawsuits, often working with the Department of Justice in the investigation and/or litigation stages of the lawsuits. Our cases are limited to FCA violations regarding federal healthcare programs funded in whole or in part, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. These cases have the extra benefit of deterring fraud that puts patients at risk and increases government program healthcare costs.