Tallahassee Sun

Escambia County, Florida, has paid the United States $3.5 million to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act by falsely billing government healthcare programs for emergency medical services and transportation. The settlement was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The settlement addresses claims against Escambia County related to uncertified ambulance and emergency medical technicians providing healthcare services through Escambia County Emergency Medical Services from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2020.

“This settlement with Escambia County demonstrates our commitment to protect federal health care funds and to hold providers accountable for fraudulent billing especially when it impacts the safety and well-being of our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Our office will continue to uphold the integrity of taxpayer-funded programs and vigorously pursue health care providers that defraud the government.”

The civil settlement includes resolving claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Dr. Rayme Edler. Under these provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case filed by Dr. Edler in May 2020 is captioned United States of America ex rel. Rayme M. Edler, M.D., v. Escambia County, 3:20-cv-05503-MCR-HTC.

This civil settlement agreement does not constitute an admission of liability by Escambia County nor a concession by the United States that its claims were unfounded.

Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Ann Couch and Marie Moyle represented the United States in this matter.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices serving as principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.