Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.005
Short title
This chapter may be known and cited as the medicaid fraud false claims act.
Revised Code of Washington Chapter 74.66 — Medicaid Fraud False Claims Act
Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 74.66 · 14 active provisions
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.010
Definitions
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter:(1)(a) "Claim" means any request or demand made for a medicaid payment under chapter 74.09 RCW or other applicable law, whether under a contract or otherwise, for money or property and whether or not a governmen…
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.020
Civil penalty—False or fraudulent claims
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (4) of this section, a person is liable to the government entity for a civil penalty of not less than the greater of ten thousand nine hundred fifty-seven dollars or the minimum inflation adjusted penalty amount imposed as provided by 31 U.S.C. Sec. 3729(a) and not more than the great…
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.030
Public records exemption
Any information furnished pursuant to this chapter is exempt from disclosure under the public records act, chapter 42.56 RCW, until final disposition and all court-ordered seals are lifted.
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.040
Attorney general—Investigation—Civil action
The attorney general must diligently investigate a violation under RCW 74.66.020. If the attorney general finds that a person has violated or is violating RCW 74.66.020, the attorney general may bring a civil action under this section against the person.
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.050
Qui tam action—Relator rights and duties
(1) A person may bring a civil action for a violation of RCW 74.66.020 for the person and for the government entity. The action may be known as a qui tam action and the person bringing the action as a qui tam relator. The action must be brought in the name of the government entity. The action may be dismissed only if t…
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.060
Qui tam action—Attorney general authority
(1) If the attorney general proceeds with the qui tam action, the attorney general shall have the primary responsibility for prosecuting the action, and is not bound by an act of the relator. The relator has the right to continue as a party to the action, subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (2) of this s…
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.070
Qui tam action—Award—Proceeds of action or settlement of claim
(1)(a) Subject to (b) of this subsection, if the attorney general proceeds with a qui tam action, the relator must receive at least fifteen percent but not more than twenty-five percent of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the claim, depending upon the extent to which the relator substantially contributed to…
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.080
Qui tam action—Restrictions—Dismissal
(1) In no event may a person bring a qui tam action which is based upon allegations or transactions which are the subject of a civil suit or an administrative civil money penalty proceeding in which the state is already a party.(2)(a) The court must dismiss an action or claim under this section, unless opposed by the a…
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.090
Whistleblower relief
(1) Any employee, contractor, or agent is entitled to all relief necessary to make that employee, contractor, or agent whole, if that employee, contractor, or agent , is discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed, or in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment because o…
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.100
Procedure for civil actions
(1) A subpoena requiring the attendance of a witness at a trial or hearing conducted under RCW 74.66.040 or 74.66.050 may be served at any place in the state of Washington.(2) A civil action under RCW 74.66.040 or 74.66.050 may be brought at any time, without limitation after the date on which the violation of RCW 74.6…
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.110
Jurisdiction—Seal on action
(1) Any action under RCW 74.66.040 or 74.66.050 may be brought in the superior court in any county in which the defendant or, in the case of multiple defendants, any one defendant can be found, resides, transacts business, or in which any act proscribed by RCW 74.66.020 occurred. The appropriate court must issue a summ…
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.120
Civil investigative demands
(1)(a) Whenever the attorney general, or a designee, for purposes of this section, has reason to believe that any person may be in possession, custody, or control of any documentary material or information relevant to a false claims act investigation, the attorney general, or a designee, may, before commencing a civil…
Wash. Rev. Code § 74.66.130
Reporting
Beginning November 15, 2012, and annually thereafter, the attorney general in consultation with the health care authority must report results of implementing the medicaid fraud false claims act. This report must include:(1) The number of attorneys assigned to qui tam initiated actions;(2) The number of cases brought by…