Escambia County, False Claims Act Violations, Florida 2020

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA - In a shocking case of healthcare deceit, Escambia County has paid the United States a staggering $3,500,000 to resolve allegations that the county violated the False Claims Act by falsely billing government healthcare programs for emergency medical services and transportation.

The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. According to the investigation, ambulance and emergency medical technicians lacking the requisite certifications provided healthcare services via emergency medical services and transportation with Escambia County Emergency Medical Services during the period of January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2020.

This egregious case of healthcare fraud highlights the importance of upholding the integrity of taxpayer-funded programs. As U.S. Attorney Coody stated, "This settlement with Escambia County demonstrates our commitment to protect federal health care funds and to hold providers accountable for fraudulent billing especially when it impacts the safety and well-being of our citizens."

The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Dr. Rayme Edler. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery.

The qui tam case filed by Dr. Edler in May 2020 is captioned United States of America ex rel. Rayme M. Edler, M.D., v. Escambia County, 3:20-cv-05503-MCR-HTC.

This civil settlement agreement is not an admission of any liability by Escambia County, nor a concession by the United States that its claims were not well-founded. Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Ann Couch and Marie Moyle represented the United States in this matter.

In a statement, the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida reiterated its commitment to upholding the law and protecting taxpayer-funded programs. The office is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.

For more information about the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/escambia-county-pays-35-million-settle-fca-lawsuit