Designated Health Services (DHS) are a specific category of healthcare services that are eligible for Medicare reimbursement under the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) rules. These services are typically related to injuries or illnesses that are caused by a work-related accident or a qualifying event (such as a car accident).

How DHS Relates to Whistleblowing

• Whistleblowers can report instances where healthcare providers submit false or inflated claims for DHS services.
• Whistleblowers can expose kickback schemes, where healthcare providers receive payments in exchange for referring patients for DHS services.
• Whistleblowers can report cases of patient abuse or neglect in facilities that provide DHS services.

The federal False Claims Act offers protection to whistleblowers who report fraud and abuse related to DHS services. This protection includes:

• Anonymity: Whistleblowers can remain anonymous throughout the investigation and legal proceedings.
• Financial Rewards: Whistleblowers who successfully expose fraud can receive a portion of the recovered funds.
• Protection from Retaliation: Whistleblowers are protected from retaliation by their employers or other individuals.