Lawsuit alleges a whistleblower was fired for reporting health care fraud
By: Donovan Varney
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — A Kentucky man is suing his former employer alleging he was terminated for reporting potentially fraudulent activity against them.
Brian Baier was employed as a registered nurse at Community Home Health Care in Ironton for 10 months before his termination on March 14.
The lawsuit alleges that Baier observed his former employer engaging in numerous cases of fraudulent activity involving reimbursement from government healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.
The lawsuit alleges that at least three employees illegally charged for services that were not performed by a registered nurse, impersonated registered nurses, and allowed other employees to use their name and credentials to write orders for patients.
Baier claims that in late February he began reporting the violations internally to management and ownership before his termination. The lawsuit alleges Baier’s termination was a direct response to his “whistleblowing” activities.
The lawsuit alleges that Community Home Health Care’s actions violated the federal False Claims Act, which prohibits fraudulent claims for government reimbursement and retaliation against those who report violations.
Baier is asking for his job back and for all his lost pay and benefits.
Representatives of Community Home Health Care declined to comment on the case.