The 5 Fiercest False Claims Act settlements in healthcare

The False Claims Act has helped the U.S. government recoup billions of dollars worth of money stolen by fraud and outright lying. Under this federal law, anyone who knowingly submits, or causes another person or entity to submit, false claims for payment of government funds is liable for three times the government's damages, plus civil penalties ranging from $5,500 to $11,000 per false claim. 

Even better--anyone who blows the whistle on such fraudulent activity can earn up to 30 percent of the recovery--a potentially huge jackpot. Over the years, many people have cashed in, exposing criminal practices in the process. 

Based on data collected by the Taxpayers Against Fraud Education Fund, a watchdog group, and the Corporate Crime Reporter weekly newsletter, we bring you the five largest False Claims Act settlements in healthcare.

Note: We deliberately left the pharmaceutical industry out of this one. Otherwise, this report might be dominated by pharma -- which has had some mammoth settlements. Case in point: Pfizer's record-breaking $2.3 billion settlement in January 2009 related to its drug marketing practices.

Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Program Recoveries by Fiscal Year

The summary below appeared in a June 2009 report by researchers at the George Washington University School of Public Health.

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