What Is Qui Tam? Meaning, History, and How It Works

Qui tam (pronounced "kwee tam" or "kee tam") is the part of the False Claims Act that allows a private citizen — called a relator — to file a lawsuit on behalf of the United States when someone cheats federal programs. If the case succeeds, the relator can receive a percentage of the government's recovery.

The phrase comes from Latin: qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur — roughly, "who sues for the king as well as for himself." Today that "king" is the federal government, and the programs most often involved are Medicare, Medicaid, defense contracting, and other federally funded services.

A qui tam action is a civil lawsuit filed under the False Claims Act. The relator alleges that a company or individual submitted false claims for payment to the government — billing for services not provided, inflating costs, paying kickbacks, or similar conduct.

The case is filed under seal, meaning it is not public at first. The Department of Justice reviews it and decides whether to intervene. The government may take over the case, negotiate a settlement, or decline intervention and let the relator proceed.

Typically insiders: employees, contractors, billing staff, nurses, auditors, or others with firsthand knowledge of fraud against federal funds. You generally need specific facts, not just suspicion. Public information alone is usually not enough without an independent source of knowledge.

Timing matters. The False Claims Act has a first-to-file rule: if someone else has already filed on the same core fraud, later filers may be barred. That is one reason whistleblowers speak with counsel promptly.

Relators may receive roughly 15–25% of a recovery when the government intervenes, or 25–30% when the government declines and the relator succeeds alone — subject to court approval and case-specific factors.

For a fuller picture of percentages and protections, see our whistleblower rewards guide and eligibility overview. This article is general information, not legal advice.