A False Claims Act lawsuit against a New Jersey skilled nursing facility passed a key litigation hurdle Sept. 18, amid allegations the provider defrauded Medicare and Medicaid for pediatric care (United States ex rel. Jersey Strong Pediatrics, LLC v. Wanaque Convalescent Ctr., 2017 BL 327829, D.N.J., No. 14-cv-6651, 9/18/17).
Whistle-blower Jersey Strong Pediatrics got a green light to pursue claims that Wanaque Convalescent Center admitted more pediatric patients requiring ventilator care than the facility had equipment and staff to properly care for, and billed Medicare and Medicaid even when private insurance was liable for payment.