As a medical professional, you probably hear others talk about healthcare fraud. As a professional, you are well aware of different billing practices and services that you and others provide. What you may not be aware of is that numerous medical professionals are falsely accused of engaging in healthcare fraud.

Thankfully, many charges for healthcare fraud are thrown out in court. It goes without saying that these charges, regardless of whether a person is convicted, can have a devastating impact on a medical professional’s personal and professional life. For this reason, it is crucial that you understand what healthcare fraud is and what some options are should you be accused of engaging in these illegal practices.

What is Healthcare Fraud?

 In the United States, healthcare fraud is defined as a medical professional engaging in deliberate actions with the purpose of obtaining unauthorized benefits for their own personal benefit or for the benefit of another person who is not entitled. Both medical professionals and patients can be charged with healthcare fraud.

As Medicare and Medicaid service providers, you can be charged with fraud based on several activities, including:

• Billing for services that were not provided to a patient.
• Filing false claims to insurance companies for services and medical conditions.
• Illegal fee-sharing that is in violation of anti-kickback laws.
• Claiming coverage for non-existent illnesses and conditions.

Conversely, recipients of Medicare and Medicaid can face criminal fraud charges for engaging in activities, like:

• Forging prescriptions from doctors.
• Falsifying information on the application for Medicare or Medicaid.
• Allowing other people to use your insurance card.
• Reselling medications that are received through the Medicaid/Medicare programs

Anyone who is accused of engaging in any of these crimes should take the accusations seriously. These crimes all come with steep fines and lengthy prison sentences.

What To Do If You Are Charged with Healthcare Fraud

If you are charged with healthcare fraud, it is imperative that you retain the legal assistance of a qualified and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in your area. Our healthcare fraud defense attorneys at Healthcare Fraud Group have extensive experience helping those accused of these horrific crimes beat their charges so they can return to their lives.

Our team provides exceptional services to those charged with various forms of healthcare fraud, including:

• Paying or receiving kickbacks in violation of anti-kickback laws
• Unbundling of services
• Upcoding
• Drug pedigree violations
• Providing medically-unnecessary services to patients
• Filing duplicate claims to insurance companies
• Operating illegal pain clinics
• Drug diversion charges
• Those accused of Stark Law violations
• Doctor shopping
• And more

If you have been accused of healthcare fraud, it is crucial that you take immediate action to ensure your legal rights are protected. Our team of aggressive attorneys works diligently to ensure those accused have the best legal defense imaginable so they can get back to their lives and move forward. Contact our national federal criminal defense law firm today at (888) 402-4054 to get help with your case.