John C. Eason
John Eason focuses his practice on representing clients in government enforcement actions, investigations, and related litigation, particularly involving the False Claims Act (FCA). John has represented companies and individuals, particularly in the healthcare industry, in responding to inquiries and investigations by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and other federal and state agencies, regarding healthcare and procurement fraud issues. John also has experience defending clients against lawsuits brought under the Federal False Claims Act, state false claims acts, and other fraud statutes, as well as the FCA’s anti-retaliation provision. John has assisted corporate clients with internal compliance assessments and internal investigations regarding regulatory and compliance issues. John is a contributor to and editor of the firm’s annual Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Review and the firm’s Inside the FCA Blog.
Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, John served a one-year clerkship with the Honorable Anita B. Brody on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. John earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School where he served as articles editor for the Vanderbilt Law Review and as a member of the managing council of the Moot Court Board. While in law school, he interned with the Honorable John S. Bryant, Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Memberships
American Health Law Association (AHLA)
Tennessee Bar Association
Representative Experience
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Representation of hospice provider in intervened FCA action pending in Eastern District of Tennessee based on allegations that hospice services provided not medically necessary
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Represented Healthways (NASDAQ: HWAY) in the sale of its Total Population Health Services (TPHS) business to Sharecare, Inc.
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Represented a former high-level executive of a major transportation company in relation to a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation concerning possible procurement fraud.
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Represented a former high-level executive of a major transportation company in relation to a proposed debarment action by the United States Air Force.
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Lead counsel representing Erlanger Medical Center in DOJ/HHS-OIG investigation arising from qui tam lawsuit alleging violations of Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, and Corporate Integrity Agreement. After government declined intervention in case, federal district court ruled that relator’s claims were barred by the public disclosure bar. Reported decisions: U.S. ex rel. Stratienko v. Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hosp. Auth., 958 F. Supp. 2d 846 (E.D. Tenn. 2013) & U.S. ex rel. Stratienko v. Chattanooga-Hamilton County Hosp. Auth., 2014 WL 7912981 (E.D. Tenn. Mar. 28, 2014)
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Lead counsel representing Erlanger Medical Center in DOJ/HHS-OIG investigation arising from qui tam lawsuit alleging that health system improperly billed hospital short-stay admissions as inpatient instead of outpatient claims. After the government declined intervention in case, federal district court substantially reduced the period of liability at issue in the lawsuit, after which time, parties settled the case. U.S. ex rel. Whipple v. Chattanooga-Hamilton Co. Hosp. Auth., 2015 WL 7455557 (Nov. 23, 2015)
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Represented behavioral health provider in FCA action in the Western District of Texas involving allegations of improper billing for medications. Ultimately obtained dismissal of the FCA allegations. U.S. ex rel. Henry v. CRC Health Corp. et al., No. 13-cv-117 (W.D. Tex.)
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Represented Vanderbilt University Medical Center in qui tam lawsuit relating to billing of services provided by medical residents and medical direction of anesthesia services. U.S. ex rel. D’Alessio v. Vanderbilt University et al., No. 3:11-cv-467 (M.D. Tenn.)
Publications
Past Events
Media Mentions & Firm News
Accolades
Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch — Health Care Law (2021-2023)
Vanderbilt Law Review — Articles Editor
Moot Court Board — Managing Council
Law Clerk to Hon. Anita B. Brody, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (2011-2012)
