| Reward | 30–50% of recovery |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | California |
| Administered by | California Department of Insurance / District Attorneys |
| Legal authority | Cal. Ins. Code § 1871.7 |
| Fraud covered | Insurance fraud, Healthcare & Medicare/Medicaid |
| Eligibility / shares | 30–40% if the government intervenes; 40–50% if you proceed alone. Penalties of $5,000–$10,000 PER fraudulent claim plus up to 3x the claim amount. |
| Anonymous filing | No — Filed under seal initially; name becomes public if the case proceeds. |
| Attorney | Required. Qui tam suits effectively require counsel (contingency-based). |
| Status | Active. |
Key takeaways
- Whistleblowers can receive 30–50% of recovery.
- Administered by California Department of Insurance / District Attorneys.
- Filed under seal initially; name becomes public if the case proceeds.
- An attorney is effectively required (contingency — no upfront cost).
- 30–40% if the government intervenes; 40–50% if you proceed alone. Penalties of $5,000–$10,000 PER fraudulent claim plus up to 3x the claim amount.
How to report and claim your reward
- Retain a whistleblower attorney
- File a qui tam complaint under seal
- Serve the District Attorney and the Insurance Commissioner (CDI)
Track record
The most lucrative insurance whistleblower law in America — one of only two states allowing private suits over fraud against PRIVATE insurers.
Good to know
Covers medical billing fraud against private insurers, runners/cappers, staged claims. Attorney fees are paid first, on top of the relator share.
Anonymity: Filed under seal initially; name becomes public if the case proceeds.
Been a victim of this kind of fraud? This page is for whistleblowers reporting fraud they've witnessed. If you lost money to a scam yourself, start with our fraud victim recovery guides — how to report it, try to get your money back, and protect your identity.
Should you talk to a whistleblower attorney first?
For this program, yes — qui tam suits effectively require counsel (contingency-based).
Statistically, represented whistleblowers recover awards far more often than unrepresented ones, and reporting through the wrong channel — or second — can forfeit your reward entirely. Because whistleblower attorneys work on contingency, a consultation costs nothing.
Last verified: July 4, 2026 against official government sources. Program rules change — always confirm on the official site before filing.