TRICARE Prime® Demo by CareSource Military & Veterans™ is required to comply with certain provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act. One such provision requires us to provide you with information about the Federal False Claims Act, state False Claims Acts and other state laws regarding Health Insurance Fraud. In addition, the law requires you and your contractors and agents to adopt our policy on fraud, waste and abuse when handling TRICARE Prime Demo business.
The Federal False Claims Act
Using the False Claims Act (the Act), you can help reduce fraud against the federal government. The Act allows everyday people to bring “whistleblower” lawsuits on behalf of the government, known as “qui tam” suits, against groups or other individuals that are defrauding the government through programs, agencies or contracts.
The False Claims Act applies when a company or person:
- Knowingly presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment,
- Knowingly uses a false record or statement to get a claim paid,
- Conspires with others to get a false or fraudulent claim paid, or
- Knowingly uses a false record or statement to conceal, avoid or decrease an obligation to pay or transmit money or property.
“Knowingly” means acting with actual knowledge or with reckless disregard or deliberate indifference to the truth or falsity of information.
The time period for a claim to be brought under the False Claims Act is the later of:
- Within six years from the date of the illegal conduct, or
- Within three years after the date the government knows or should have known about the illegal conduct, but in no event later than ten years after the illegal activity.
TRICARE Prime Demo Policy
It is the policy of TRICARE Prime Demo to detect and prevent any activity that may violate the federal False Claims Act or the state Medicaid fraud laws cited in this policy. If any employee, provider, delegated entity, subcontractor or agent has knowledge or information that any such activity may have taken place, he or she should contact the Special Investigations Unit. Information may be reported anonymously.
In addition, federal and state law and TRICARE Prime Demo policy prohibits any retaliation or retribution against persons who report suspected violations of these laws to law enforcement officials or who file “whistleblower” lawsuits on behalf of the government. Anyone who believes that he or she has been subject to any such retribution or retaliation should also report this to the Program Integrity department.
How to Report Fraud, Waste & Abuse