Which act imposes penalties for knowingly submitting false claims to Medicare?

The False Claims Act is the correct choice because it specifically targets individuals and entities that knowingly submit false claims for payment to government programs, including Medicare. This act is a key piece of legislation in combating fraud in healthcare by allowing whistleblowers to file lawsuits on behalf of the government against those who engage in such fraudulent practices. The act imposes significant penalties for violations, which can include fines and treble damages, emphasizing the seriousness with which false claims are treated in the healthcare system.

While the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) focuses on patient privacy and the protection of health information, it does not address the submission of false claims. The Social Security Act primarily governs the administration of health insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid but does not specifically impose penalties for false claims. The Affordable Care Act includes provisions aimed at reducing healthcare fraud, but it does not specifically target false claims like the False Claims Act does. Thus, the False Claims Act is distinct in its enforcement and penalties related to the submission of false claims.