Undercover: How I Went from Company Man to FBI Spy and Exposed the Worst Healthcare Fraud in U.S. History

by John W. Schilling

When John Schilling, an unassuming midlevel accountant, joined Columbia Healthcare Corporation --the nation's fastest growing and revolutionary network of public hospitals -- it seemed like the start of an exciting new career with great advancement and earnings potential. He never expected to become a catalyst for the series of "whistleblower" lawsuits that ripped through the healthcare industry in the late 1990sIn Undercover, John Schilling tells the story of his harrowing journey from ordinary citizen and loyal employee to covert FBI informant and top witness for the Justice Department in the largest criminal healthcare fraud case in U.S. history. It began when he stumbled upon evidence-- a $3.5 million accounting "error"--of his company's routine practice of defrauding Medicare. When pressured to comply with stealing from taxpayers, Schilling knew he had to speak up for what he believed was right, regardless of the cost to his job, his reputation, and his family. His courageous choice would consume the next seven years of his life, leading to more drama, angst, turmoil, and money than he could have imagined. Ultimately, Schilling's moral conviction and a little known law, the False Claims Act, paid off by forcing the formidable healthcare conglomerate of Columbia/HCA to pay back $1.7 billion to the federal government.Revealing the personal side of a thankless role, Undercover is a gripping and inspiring account of a long, hard, life-- changing quest for justice. ADVANCE PRAISE FOR UNDERCOVER"Undercover crackles with authenticity as it recounts in a lively, readable style how a man on the inside risked everything and blew the whistle on a giant healthcare company that was systematically looting the Medicare program out of billions. A good read for anyone, but a must-read for someone who may contemplate taking the same path as John Schilling" -- John R. Phillips, "The nation's premier whistleblowing attorney" according to the The Wall Street Journal and the National Law Journal"John Schilling's book is a must-read for whistleblowers. He shows you how hard it can be, yet also shows you how to prevail. Best of all, John shows you how to be a good citizen" -- Jim Moorman, past President, Taxpayers Against Fraud

Genres: True Crime

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Lisa Topp]

This author is a native of Menomonee Falls, WI, where we live, and an alumnus of my girls' Catholic School. I'll be meeting him next week when he comes to the school to do a book presentation and signing event. I'm in on the planning and am very excited!

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are places in this book where you almost feel like you should have a law or accounting degree. But if you persevere, it is an interesting story every US taxpayer should know. And if you are wondering why Medicare is almost bankrupt, you should REALLY read it.

[Jesse · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm an accountant, I understand the technicalities in the book. But as a read it was very, terribly awfully boring.

[Kendra Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a reading assignment for a compliance course in my MHA program. If you're looking for in-depth analysis and recounting of a qui tam lawsuit in healthcare, this is the book for you. Schilling, the whistleblower, not only details the process from start to finish, he also recounts the personal stresses and impacts the process had on him. The first half of the book is a nail biter, and I was speed reading to find out what happened. The second half of the book dragged on (rightfully so since the lawsuit dragged on for years) and the details became a little exhausting, but I would rather have more information than not enough. Worth a read if you find the subject enticing!

[Jim Bouchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should be a movie! I received this copy as a demo from a printing service. I almost tossed it in my "give to the library sale" pile when I picked it up and started to read...

...I was very pleasantly surprised!

This reads like an action novel and tells an in-depth story of personal courage and restores your belief in contemporary ethics.

[Lori]

Couldn't get into it. From what little I read it's based on Medicare fraud.

[Matt Coffron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good inside look at what a whistleblower really goes through.

[Krenzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good resource for those involved in the False Claims area/healthcare fraud.

[Debbie Ptak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undercover Book

Excellent written book, informative, interesting and a great learning tool. This book kept you interested to keep reading until you finished.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and easy read on the results of being a whistle blower in what was then the worst healthcare fraud in history.