title: Consultant relationships may pose liability risk.
abstract: Providers participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal healthcare programs can be held liable for False Claims Act (FCA) violations committed by third-party consultants. No proof of intent to defraud is required to establish FCA liability. Providers can be fined triple the government's payment if they are found in violation of the FCA. Providers should examine prospective consultants' qualifications and ethical standards before entering into a contractual relationship. Providers that contract with attorneys, accountants, payment experts, and/or other third-party consultants need to monitor these relationships on an ongoing basis.
authors.affiliation: gimperat@broadand-cassel.com
authors.forename: Gabriel L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Imperato
mesh_terms: D003253:Consultants / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003284:Contract Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005377:Financial Management, Hospital / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005607:Fraud / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007344:Insurance Claim Reporting; D016365:Liability, Legal; D010560:Personnel Selection; D012308:Risk Management; D014481:United States; D014483:United States Dept. of Health and Human Services