---
title: O.C.G.A. § 49-4-168. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 49-4-168
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 49-4-168 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/49-4-168
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/49-4-168.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/49-4-168/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t49-t50-ch1-12-(v38)-2023-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=60c992b5_0#page=161
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: SOCIAL SERVICES / PUBLIC ASSISTANCE / FALSE MEDICAID CLAIMS
extraction_warnings:
  - dehyphenation_unverified:magneti-cally
---

# O.C.G.A. § 49-4-168. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) “Claim” includes any request or demand, whether under a contract or otherwise, for money or property, whether or not the Georgia Medicaid program or this state has title to such money or property, which is made to the Georgia Medicaid program, to any officer, employee, fiscal intermediary, grantee, agent, or contractor of the Georgia Medicaid program, or to other persons or entities if it results in payments by the Georgia Medicaid program, if the Georgia Medicaid program provides, has provided, or will provide any portion of the money or property requested or demanded; if the Georgia Medicaid program will reimburse the contractor, grantee, or other recipient for any portion of the money or property requested or demanded; or if the money or property is to be spent or used on behalf of or to advance the Georgia Medicaid program. A claim includes a request or demand made orally, in writing, electronically, or magnetically. Each claim may be treated as a separate claim.

(2) “Knowing” and “knowingly” require no proof of specific intent to defraud and mean that a person, with respect to information:

(A) Has actual knowledge of the information;

(B) Acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the information; or

(C) Acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the information.

(3) “Material” means having a natural tendency to influence, or be capable of influencing, the payment or receipt of money or property.

(4) “Obligation” means an established duty, whether or not fixed, arising from an express or implied contractual, grantor-grantee, or licensor-licensee relationship, from a fee based or similar relationship, from statute or regulation, or from retention of any overpayment.

(5) “Person” means any natural person, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, joint-stock company, or any other entity with capacity to sue or be sued.

## History

Code 1981, § 49-4-168, enacted by Ga. L. 2007, p. 355, § 3/HB 551; Ga. L. 2012, p. 127, § 2-1/HB 822; Ga. L. 2013, p. 141, § 49/HB 79.

## Cross References

Georgia Taxpayer Protection Against False Claims Act, § 23-3-120 et seq.

## Law Reviews

For article, “A ‘False Claims Act’ Is Finally Enacted in Georgia: What Georgia Lawyers Should Know About the ‘State False Medicaid Claims Act’,” see 13 Ga. St. B.J. 12 (2007).