San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/29/2018 -- The Whistleblower Institute announces that AmeriCare Ambulance Service reached a $5.5 million settlement in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former employee over defrauding Medicare by billing for medically unnecessary ambulance transportation services.

Those who have a similar case or experienced a similar situation or any other wrongdoing within a corporation have certain options and should contact the Whistleblower Institute at mail@whistleblowerinstitute.com or call: 619-452–1218. There are no costs or obligations to you.

A settlement has been reached to resolve False Claims Act allegations against AmeriCare Ambulance Service.

The allegations arose from a lawsuit that claimed AmeriCare Ambulance Service Inc and its sister company, AmeriCare ALS Inc (collectively, AmeriCare) defrauded Medicare by billing for medically unnecessary ambulance transportation services.

According to the governement, from January 2008 through December 2016, AmeriCare allegedly submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare and TRICARE for Basic Life Support (BLS), non-emergency ambulance transports that were not medically justified. In support of these allegations, the government cited information regarding unwarranted ambulance transports it had received from numerous AmeriCare employees, as well as audits conducted by the agencies that administer Medicare and TRICARE.

In addition, the government cited damaging testimony it had elicited under oath from members of AmeriCare's management team during the course of the investigation. This testimony, along with the other evidence obtained by the government, revealed that AmeriCare had engaged in a systemic practice over many years of submitting fraudulent claims to the government falsely attesting to the medical necessity of its non-emergent, BLS ambulance transports. That proof also revealed that AmeriCare had created thousands of false reports and other documentation during this time period, in a failed effort to support this illicit practice.

Reportedly, AmeriCare has also agreed to enter into an integrity agreement with the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"Medical service providers who engage in systemic fraud at the core of their business levy an assault on federal health care programs and the American taxpayer," said Special Agent in Charge Shimon R. Richmond of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. "In spite of often false medical documents, the OIG and our partners will not be deterred in our efforts to root out this type of fraud and protect the American public."

The whistleblower, a former AmeriCare employee, Ernest Sharpshare, will receive $1.15 million as part of the settlement.

Based in Florida, United States, AmeriCare Ambulance is a full service transportation provider.

The Whistleblower Institute is an information portal for current or former employees and other people having insight information about wrongdoing and other illegal activities by individuals either individually or within corporations, through company culture and or within international affairs. Whistleblowers should keep in mind that under the Dodd-Frank Act any person who provides the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") with original information that leads to a successful enforcement action with over $1 million recovered must be awarded between 10%-30% of the total amount recovered. In order to determine the total amount of the reward there are numerous factors that need to be considered. Whistleblower actions are complex and our goal is to guide any whistleblower every step of the way. The Whistleblower Institute is dedicated to partnering with any individual who have information about fraud and we work with many of the best law firms worldwide.

Those who have a similar case or experienced a similar situation or any other wrongdoing within a corporation have certain options and should contact the Whistleblower Institute.

Contact:
Whistleblower Institute
2534 State Street - Suite 406
San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Phone: +1 (619) 452–1218
Facsimile: +1 (619) 785 – 3185
Email: mail@whistleblowerinstitute.com

The material was prepared by the Whistleblower Institute for informational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. The information is provided only as general information which may or may not reflect the most currently available public information, is not provided as a basis for any established or existing relationship, and is not intended to constitute legal or financial advice, or to substitute for obtaining such advice from an attorney or other advisor licensed in your state.