Asynchronous Telemedicine Schemes
Many healthcare companies now provide consultations and prescriptions through virtual, message-based forms of communication (such as text messaging), patient questionnaires, or by storing and sending videos back and forth. They never engage their patients in a conversation, and many may not ever see their patients’ faces. Because correspondence only occurs through a “store and forward” model, this type of medical practice is referred to as “asynchronous” telemedicine.
Sadly, healthcare fraud is all too common, and asynchronous telemedicine systems are no exception. While many asynchronous telemedicine companies provide a convenient service, bad actors are taking advantage of the lack of knowledge regarding these new practices by putting profits first—taking advantage of patients, healthcare systems, and government services in the process.
Pollock Cohen is actively involved in dozens of investigations and civil prosecutions, including working side-by-side with government agencies pursuing healthcare scammers. “Whistleblower” clients can include doctors, nurses, medical billing specialists, pharmacists, patients, and corporate middle managers.
If you think you know something about fraud or other illicit activities related to asynchronous telemedicine, talk to us—in confidence. There is no obligation, and everything you share is confidential. Text or call (646) 290-9068, email telehealth@pollockcohen.com, or fill out the form below.
FAQs
While whistleblowers can be stereotypical “insiders,” like employees or former employees at companies or organizations that have engaged in improper conduct, there is no requirement that they be insiders. We have worked with a variety of non-traditional whistleblowers who have witnessed fraud or taken the initiative to investigate corporate misconduct. Whistleblowers from all backgrounds can offer important insights worthy of submission to the government or, depending on the program, even a lawsuit.
Whistleblowers also may not know everything about the fraud when they come to us. In other words, they may know (or suspect) something is wrong. They may have raised concerns about practices internally that have gone ignored (or worse, punished). Even if a whistleblower isn’t sure “what they have” or what to do, we have experience helping clients put the pieces together.
It depends on the subject matter and the whistleblower program. To bring a case under the False Claims Act, there needs to be a claim or demand for government money. Not every lie to the government violates the FCA.
For the SEC Whistleblower Program, there needs to be wrongdoing that violates a federal securities law or regulation like a material misstatement in a public filing. Not every bad management decision at a publicly traded company can be investigated by the SEC.
What counts and what doesn’t can be complicated. For more information, take a look at some of the pages on our website describing different whistleblower programs. And most importantly, talk with us.
It depends on the whistleblower program. Whistleblowers submitting information to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) whistleblower programs can choose to remain completely anonymous (even to the government) if they work with an attorney.
Under most other programs, the government will know your identity. When (and if) your name is revealed publicly depends on the stage and outcome of the case. Under the IRS Whistleblower Program, a whistleblower’s name is never publicly revealed unless they choose to reveal it later as part of a lawsuit. Under the False Claims Act, the whistleblower’s case is filed confidentially and “under seal” while the government investigates. The defendants, your coworkers, and others cannot get that information while the case is under seal. Eventually, once the government has had an opportunity to investigate the allegations and decide how to proceed, the case is “unsealed.”
We sometimes work with clients with unique concerns that require extra confidentiality and protection of their identity and we do our best to preserve anonymity in these situations.
Even though the law says that whistleblowers remain confidential and defendants may not retaliate against them, sometimes wrongdoers mistreat whistleblowers for raising their concerns, working with a lawyer, or contacting the government.
With some variations between different whistleblower programs, those who face retaliation like firing, suspension, demotion, discipline, threats, harassment, or other discrimination can sue to hold wrongdoers accountable for trying to punish them for doing the right thing. A successful retaliation claim can lead to a variety of remedies, including reinstatement, back pay (sometimes double), special damages like emotional distress, and attorney’s fees.
Whistleblowers receive a percentage of whatever the government recovers. The particular percentages depend on the program and on the government’s view of how valuable the whistleblower’s information was.
Working with a whistleblower attorney who has done this before can help to maximize the award. We help whistleblowers develop their case, present it in the best way, and prepare them for any confidential government interviews to maximize their value to the government’s investigation.
Most whistleblower cases are handled by attorneys on a contingency basis. In other words, we get a percentage of the whistleblower award if there is one. We only get paid if you do.
Occasionally, clients prefer to pay us in exchange for receiving a smaller percentage of the whistleblower award. We are open to considering a variety of arrangements depending on the client’s preferences and needs.
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