A settlement has been reached to resolve False Claims Act allegations against Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
The allegations arose from a lawsuit that claimed Wal-Mart Stores Inc knowingly submitted claims for reimbursement to California’s Medi‑Cal program that were not supported by applicable diagnosis and documentation requirements.
“These Medi-Cal regulations are essential to protect both patients and limited heath care funding,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “My office will continue to hold pharmacies accountable when they fail to comply with regulations like these.”
The settlement resolved allegations that Walmart failed to confirm and document the requisite diagnoses, and in some instances dispensed drugs for non-approved diagnoses, then knowingly billed Medi-Cal for these prescriptions.
Reportedly, the allegations were brought forward by a pharmacist who has worked at Walmart locations in the greater Sacramento area. The whistleblowers' share of the settlement will be approximately $264,000.
Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart is a multinational retailing corporation that operates as a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores.
