About Joseph V. Willey

Tracking the multitude of laws that govern the health care field can overwhelm any hospital system or other provider. As a former attorney with the US Department of Health and Human Services, Joseph Willey helps health care providers identify issues of concern and find workable solutions. When problems arise, he's skilled at litigating a range of claims, including reimbursement disputes. In recent years, he has recovered substantial Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for hospitals and other health care providers, obtained dismissal of False Claims Act cases and claims, and negotiated favorable settlements of government audits of health care providers.

Protecting hospitals' life blood

Reimbursements are the life blood of most hospital systems and health care providers. Joe's thorough understanding of the intricacies of the Medicare and Medicaid systems allows him to take aggressive yet grounded positions in disputes. He has convinced courts to dismiss enormous government claims against his clients and has settled other matters for a small fraction of the amount the government sought. His clients rely on him for guidance related to fraud and abuse matters, saying, "Joseph Willey is commended for his 'truly encyclopedic knowledge of Medicaid and Medicare law'" and "he is extraordinarily knowledgeable in this subject area."(Chambers USA 2022). Another client stated, "I have worked with Joe Willey and his team at Katten for a number of years on educational programming and legal work. They are extremely knowledgeable in Medicaid and Medicare regulations as well as false claim act" (U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2022 "Best Law Firms").

Joe's decades of experience allows him to provide clients with clear roadmaps through the complex regulatory landscape. He advises on federal anti-kickback and physician self-referral laws and represents providers in investigations and litigation under the False Claims Act. He also represents providers in federal and state government audits and before administrative tribunals, including the Provider Reimbursement Review Board.

Clients also turn to him to help devise business strategies for their health care operations.

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"Joseph Willey is excellent and has an unparalleled understanding of relevant regulations. He leads a great team with a deep bench; very responsive and efficient."

U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2022 "Best Law Firms"
(Health Care Law) survey response

Practice Focus

  • Health care litigation
  • Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement claims
  • Government audits
  • Fraud and abuse laws
  • Managed care
  • Alternative reimbursement models and supplemental Medicaid payments (disproportionate share hospital and upper-payment-limit payments)
  • Business strategies for health organizations

Representative Experience

  • Successful representation in False Claims Act cases in which dismissal was obtained on various disclosure grounds.
  • Negotiated favorable settlements of False Claims Act cases involving duplicate billing, billing for services determined to be medically unnecessary, laboratory unbundling, school-based and early intervention health care services, personal care services, substance abuse services, emergency ambulance services, and podiatry services.
  • Successful representation of providers in Medicare and Medicaid audits, including negotiating favorable settlements.

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Practices
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Education
  • The University of Kansas School of Law, JD
  • The University of Kansas, BA
Bar Admissions
  • New York
Community Involvements
  • American Health Law Association (AHLA)
  • New York State Bar Association
Joe Willey Shares Health Care Litigation, Reimbursement and Regulation Practice Highlights
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • Best Lawyers in America
    Health Care Law, 2013–2023
  • Chambers USA
    Healthcare, 2011–2022
  • Super Lawyers
    New York, 2008–2011, 2014–2022
  • The Legal 500 United States
    Recommended Attorney, 2016–2020
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