Florida Whistleblower’s Retaliation Suit Survives Dismissal Bid

An Orlando, Fla., cardiology practice must face an ex-employee’s claim she was fired for raising concerns about potentially improper Medicare billing in violation of the federal False Claims Act, a federal judge has ruled.

The former Orlando Heart & Vascular Center LLC employee, Jessica Els, adequately alleged she was engaged in FCA-protected conductwhen she complained about the alleged submission of false claims for medically unnecessary and non-reimbursable claims, Judge Carlos E. Mendoza of the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida said in a Tuesday order.

Els’ allegations, taken as true, show that the defendants knew about her ...