Dallas Health Care Fraud Defense Lawyer
DO YOU NEED A TOP Healthcare Fraud Lawyer FOR YOUR DEFENSE?
Healthcare Fraud cases are pursued by both federal and state officials; this is an illustration that healthcare fraud is a considered a very serious matter by the government.
However, the federal government is much more likely to investigate, arrest, and charge a large number of doctors, pharmacies, third-party billers, and others involved in their perceived scheme. As a health care fraud lawyer can explain in detail, healthcare fraud is, most simply, defined as misleading a healthcare provider into believing that a patient needs medical services or prescriptions that are not actually medically necessary.
Said another way, if you or someone being investigated for healthcare fraud ever billed an insurance provider for goods or services that were not necessary or, even worse, not provided, you can be held liable under both the federal and state statutes.
FEDERAL Health Care Fraud Law?
Federal officials often charge healthcare fraud cases under a conspiracy – two or more people conspiring either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose – because healthcare fraud normally requires more than one individual to create the fraud. For example, if a doctor’s office is fraudulently billing a healthcare provider for services rendered that were not actually rendered, it is very common to find that multiple individuals were aware of the conduct – doctors, office managers, receptionists, and third-party billing companies. Very seldom are healthcare fraud schemes perpetrated solely by one individual.
Call today to schedule your free case review and let health care fraud lawyers Gallian Firm fight for you!
THE HARSH Penalties for Federal Health Care Fraud
The federal government punishes healthcare fraud harshly. In addition to the aforementioned penalties, those convicted could also be sentenced to up to 99 years in federal prison. To read more specifically about federal health care fraud crimes click here.
WHO INVESTIGATES Federal Health Care Fraud?
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is the agency that is primarily responsible for overseeing investigations of healthcare fraud. This is in partnership with other federal, state, and local agencies, including insurance investigative units.
THE FEDERAL Health Care Fraud Laws THAT DETERMINES FRAUD
VIOLATION OF FEDERAL HEALTHCARE LAW
(a) Whoever knowingly and willfully executes, or attempts to execute, a scheme or artifice— (1) to defraud any health care benefit program; or (2) to obtain, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, any of the money or property owned by, or under the custody or control of, any health care benefit program, in connection with the delivery of or payment for health care benefits, items, or services, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. If the violation results in serious bodily injury (as defined in section 1365 of this title), such person shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both; and if the violation results in death, such person shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both.
HOW FEDERAL OR State Health Care fraud ARE DETERMINED
The severity of your criminal charges will determine whether your case is tried at a state or federal level. This will depend on several factors, including the location of the crimes, laws violated, and the amount of money involved in the scheme.
Healthcare fraud becomes a federal crime when certain acts are violated and/or circumstance criteria is met, including violations of the:
- False Claims Act
- Kickback Statute
- Crime Results in Injury/Death
When several agencies get involved, including the FBI and insurance companies, the federal government will prosecute your crime at a federal level. The penalties for federal and state healthcare fraud are significantly different. Consulting with a top healthcare fraud lawyer will help you understand the impacts of federal charges versus state charges for healthcare fraud.
Federal criminal convictions face the harshest penalties, often sentenced to decades behind bars. Some medical providers, like doctors, who commit fraud, find themselves in federal court. There are several healthcare fraud charges that medical providers face. Here are a few:
FEDERAL Health Care Fraud Committed by Health Care Providers
ANTI-KICKBACKS AND STARK LAW VIOLATIONS
Anti-kickback and Stark laws were developed to prevent health care fraud. Both of these statutes deem it illegal for health care professionals to pay for or accept payment for medical referrals. Medical providers are not legally allowed to accept any form of compensation for referrals. These particular laws are best handled by a health care fraud lawyer with experiences in kickback and Stark Law cases, like the health care fraud lawyers of Gallian Firm.
"UNBUNDLING"
Submitting multiple bills, or unbundling, is when medical providers defraud the insurance company by submitting more than one bill for the same services.
PHANTOM BILLING
Phantom billing is when medical providers submit bills to the insurance company for services or medical equipment that the patient never receives.
UPCODING
Upcoding occurs when a medical provider charges the insurance company for more expensive services than were received.
MEDICARE FRAUD
Medicare fraud is a complex crime that usually involves several individuals to execute, including medical providers and billing specialists. It takes skilled and experienced healthcare fraud lawyers like the defense lawyers at Gallian Firm to understand the complexities of these circumstances and know how to prepare the best defense possible. These schemes involve manipulating the Medicare system and using patient information for monetary gain.
MEDICAL BILLING FRAUD
Medical billing fraud involves charging the Medicare system for services that were never rendered. This typically involves adding false services to an existing claim or completely fabricating a claim. A consultation with a top medical fraud lawyer is going to be critical to understand the possible defenses–and consequences of medical billing fraud. A medical billing fraud lawyer has particular expertise that many health care fraud defense lawyers do not have.
This may also involve the unbundling of procedures. Providers use this tactic to bill the insurance company separately for each service provided to receive more money. A medical fraud lawyer can help right away.
Medical billing fraud defense can be a complex type of criminal defense, and it is not recommended that any person charged with medical billing fraud try to go at it alone. A healthcare fraud lawyer is the most important ally you can have as you work towards the best possible medical billing fraud defense. It is essential to try to get a case review and or consultation on your case with a top healthcare fraud lawyer. Both of these are offered free, at no charge, by Gallian Firm.
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The healthcare fraud defense lawyers at Gallian Firm are second to none. They could potentially have your healthcare fraud charges dropped or, at a minimum, lessened. Gallian Firm is a healthcare fraud law firm that employs a relentless, aggressive defense and has a history of success in these cases. Call (214) 432-8860 as soon as possible for a free case review.
YOU WILL NEED A Healthcare Fraud Lawyer IF CHARGED WITH MEDICARE BILLING FRAUD
You will want to consult with a medical billing fraud lawyer if you are involved in any of the common examples of Medicare fraud. These include billing fraud, falsifying patient diagnoses, and kickback schemes. The following is an example of a Medicare fraud case that occurred in 2019 and was sentenced in 2021. May 4, 2021, Houston — Brenda Rodriguez owned and operated the QC Medical Clinic in Richmond, TX. Her clinic provided unauthorized medical exams and billed Medicare for over $11 million for home healthcare services that patients either did not need and/or did not receive. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison for conspiracy, aiding, and abetting a Medicare fraud. Anyone who is involved in Medicare fraud can be charged for their role in the scheme. It is crucial to reach out for legal guidance to a medical billing fraud lawyer if you or your employer has committed any of these crimes.
FEDERAL Healthcare Fraud Committed by Patients
Healthcare Insurance Fraud
Individuals can also be charged with healthcare fraud for attempting to reap financial benefits from their insurance company. Examples of Consumer Fraud Include:
- Using another person’s insurance coverage and/or card.
- Providing false information in an insurance claim.
- Altering a receipt for services.
- Filing a false claim.
These are serious accusations and require the assistance of a criminal defense lawyer to prove your innocence and beat these charges.
IMPERSONATION
It is a federal health care crime for an individual to impersonate a medical provider without a medical license. These crimes include performing or billing patients for medical services.
DOCTOR SHOPPING
It is a federal crime to visit multiple health care providers to obtain prescriptions for controlled substances.
IDENTITY CRIMES
These crimes involve a patient intentionally using another individual’s health insurance to cover their medical services. If an individual knowingly allows another person to use their insurance they may also face federal health care fraud charges.
WHY IS GALLIAN FIRM MY BEST CHOICE FOR Healthcare Fraud Defense?
As a former state prosecutors, the defense lawyers at Gallian Firm is the best choice for building your healthcare fraud defense case. They have an impressive legal success rate and have been voted among the best Dallas criminal defense lawyers since they began in private practice. They have had hundreds of cases dismissed and achieved numerous acquittals in over 50 trials.
If you find yourself under investigation and need a Dallas federal healthcare fraud lawyer, it will serve you to find a defense firm like Gallian Firm, with extensive experience on state and federal healthcare fraud cases. Federal criminal defense lawyers Gallian Firm have handled major healthcare fraud cases, investigated all across Texas. Unlike many other defense firms, the lawyers at Gallian Firm have successfully convinced federal prosecutors not to charge their clients in a number of situations. Gallian Firm’s healthcare fraud defense experience includes one of the largest criminal healthcare fraud/commercial bribery cases ever prosecuted. Call today to schedule your free case review and let Gallian Firm fight for you!
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If you find yourself under investigation and need a Dallas federal healthcare fraud lawyer, it will serve you to find a defense firm like Gallian Firm, with extensive experience on state and federal healthcare fraud cases. Federal criminal defense lawyers Gallian Firm have handled major healthcare fraud cases, investigated all across Texas. Unlike many other defense firms, the lawyers at Gallian Firm have successfully convinced federal prosecutors not to charge their clients in a number of situations.
TEXAS State Healthcare Fraud
VIOLATION OF Texas State Healthcare law
Sec. 35A.02.
HEALTH CARE FRAUD. (a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) knowingly makes or causes to be made a false statement or misrepresentation of a material fact to permit a person to receive a benefit or payment under a health care program that is not authorized or that is greater than the benefit or payment that is authorized;
(2) knowingly conceals or fails to disclose information that permits a person to receive a benefit or payment under a health care program that is not authorized or that is greater than the benefit or payment that is authorized;
(3) knowingly applies for and receives a benefit or payment on behalf of another person under a health care program and converts any part of the benefit or payment to a use other than for the benefit of the person on whose behalf it was received;
(4) knowingly makes, causes to be made, induces, or seeks to induce the making of a false statement or misrepresentation of material fact concerning:
PENALTIES FOR Healthcare Fraud in the State of Texas
Penalties for healthcare fraud can range from misdemeanor offenses to state felony charges. The period for which you are sentenced depends on the amount of money that was stolen and other important factors can also influence penalties.
Other penalties can result from a finding of healthcare fraud at the state level. Patients could face disbarment from receiving future government healthcare assistance. Medical professionals could potentially lose their license to perform medical services.
These penalties would be catastrophic to an individual’s health, reputation, and future employment opportunities.
PENALTIES FOR A Misdemeanor Conviction for Healthcare Fraud in Texas
You will be charged with a Class B misdemeanor if the amount of money that was stolen is between $100-$750. This conviction can result in six months in jail and $2000 in fines.
Class A Misdemeanors are the most serious misdemeanor charges, reserved for cases in which $750-$2500 was stolen. Penalties include 1 year in jail and fines of up to $4000.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH Healthcare Fraud IN TEXAS
It would be wise to seek a free consultation and free case review by contacting Gallian Firm immediately. If you are facing charges of healthcare fraud in Dallas or surrounding areas, these charges are serious and can destroy your future if you are convicted.
- Gather all documents relevant to your case, including information about others involved, bills, arrest records, and any other paperwork.
- Schedule a free consultation with Gallian Firm to discuss the unique circumstances of your case.
- Let Gallian Firm defense attorneys build the most effective defense based on the details of your criminal accusations.
Do not wait to contact a healthcare fraud criminal defense lawyer. The sooner you reach out for help, the more effective your defense case will be.
DEFENSE STRATEGIES A Healthcare Defense Lawyer CAN USE TO HELP YOU
One of the principal foundational questions for a healthcare fraud lawyer to use as part of a healthcare fraud defense is to ensure the prosecution has evidence to prove that your crime was committed intentionally. There are several strategies that a healthcare fraud defense attorney may use to have your charges dropped or lessened.
Healthcare Fraud defense strategies include:
- Billing Mistakes
- Confusion
- Neglecting to Oversee Workers
- Unqualified Workers
The goal of these strategies is to convince the jury that you did not have criminal intentions. Your actions were committed out of coercion, fear, or ignorance. Each case is unique. You may be able to shift the blame of your accusations by assisting in other investigations of interest.
Gallian Firm defense attorneys will review the circumstances surrounding your case and determine the best route of defense. They are tested, experienced healthcare fraud defense attorneys who will work hard to challenge sentence recommendations and negotiate the most favorable outcome for your case.
AVOIDING Jail for Healthcare Fraud
Yes, it is possible to avoid a conviction and jail time for healthcare fraud. This will depend on what evidence the prosecution has that proves that you intentionally committed this crime. Without evidence, the prosecution does not have a case. A strong healthcare fraud law firm like Gallian Firm will do everything in their power to keep you out of jail. They have a track record of success.
REACH OUT TO Healthcare Fraud Defense Attorneys GALLIAN FIRM TODAY
Do not face these serious healthcare fraud charges alone. Contact Gallian Firm and allow them to begin building your defense case. The defense lawyers at Gallian Firm, led by Managing Partner Gregg Gallian are fierce, well-known healthcare fraud lawyers who are known as among the best health care fraud defense lawyers nationwide. They will fight to protect your freedom, family, and future and have defended some of the biggest health care fraud cases in Texas state history. Call healthcare fraud law firm Gallian Firm today at (214) 432-8860.
FAQ'S Dallas Health Care Fraud Defense Attorneys
Health care fraud involves intentionally deceiving a health care program for financial gain. Charges may arise from false claims, kickbacks, or billing for services not provided.
Gallian Firm comprises experienced health care fraud defense lawyers with a track record of success in federal and state cases. We provide strategic defense to protect your rights and reputation.
Yes, we provide a free initial consultation. Contact us at (214) 432-8860 to discuss your situation and understand how our healthcare fraud lawyers can assist you.
Gallian Firm is recognized as a premier healthcare fraud law firm in Dallas and beyond. Our team combines experience, skill, and a commitment to client success in every case.
If charged, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare fraud lawyer immediately. Refrain from making statements to investigators and call us at (214) 432-8860 to discuss your case.
Absolutely. Our healthcare fraud defense lawyers have extensive experience in handling federal health care fraud cases and navigating the complexities of federal law.
Penalties vary but may include fines, restitution, and imprisonment. The severity depends on factors such as the amount of fraud involved and the impact on the health care system.
Jail time is possible for health care fraud convictions. However, our healthcare fraud lawyers work diligently to build a strong defense and minimize potential penalties.
Yes, our healthcare fraud lawyers are skilled in handling medical billing fraud defense cases, ensuring thorough and strategic representation.
Common defenses may include lack of intent, errors in billing, or insufficient evidence. Our health care fraud defense lawyers tailor defenses to the unique aspects of each case.
The timeline varies, but health care fraud cases can be complex and lengthy. Our healthcare fraud lawyers focus on efficiency while ensuring a comprehensive defense.
Yes, client confidentiality is a priority at Gallian Firm. Rest assured that our healthcare fraud lawyers handle cases with discretion and professionalism.
Yes, alternative resolutions may include negotiated settlements or plea bargains. Our healthcare fraud defense lawyers explore all viable options to achieve the best outcome for your particular case, consulting with you all along the way.
To schedule a consultation with the best health care fraud defense attorney in Dallas, call (214) 432-8860. We’ll promptly arrange a meeting to discuss your case and legal options.
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