The term " qui tam relator" is another term for a whistleblower or plaintiff who brings a case under the False Claims Act on behalf of the federal or state government. The False Claims Act prohibits making a false claim, or committing fraud, against the federal government or any program that receives federal funds, such as a state Medicaid plan. The person who brings the civil action for the person and for the government is called a qui tam relator. The action is brought in the name of the government. If the government does not intervene in the False Claims Act case, the qui tam relator may proceed on their own in certain circumstances (31 U.S.C. § 3730 (b)).

For more information see Practice Note, Understanding the False Claims Act.