Healthcare fraud and healthcare abuse cases are on the rise and the number of people charged with these crimes continues to increase every year. Healthcare fraud includes the willing and intentional fraud of healthcare documents and transactions with intent to reap personal gain. Healthcare fraud is typically charged on those in the healthcare industry that falsify documents or reporting in order to defraud the system itself. This can include pharmaceutical companies, healthcare service providers, hospitals, non-profit agencies, laboratories or medical manufacturers.
Healthcare Fraud Penalties
The penalties with healthcare fraud charges tend to be very stiff, even with a first offense. Often the dollar values in these types of fraudulent schemes and scams are in the millions of dollars, resulting in significant monetary loss to the healthcare system. In some cases doctors, hospitals or pharmaceutical companies may be forced to shut down because of the fraud and the subsequent charges.
Possible Penalties
- Jail time
- Significant fines and fees
- Restitution
Healthcare Fraud Sentencing
Some of the biggest issues in healthcare fraud include kickbacks for referrals, use of specific healthcare service providers or pharmaceuticals, or other types of payment for services or referrals schemes. Others may include false claims or reporting or other illegal activities as it comes to Medicaid or Medicare documentation. With these types of cases sentencing is often based on significant amounts of evidence, however an experienced legal counsel may be able to minimize the use of this type of evidence or may be able to get the charges reduced and restitution and fines ordered instead of significant jail.
Hire A Lawyer For Healthcare Fraud
It is imperative to get a criminal defense attorney familiar with healthcare fraud cases involved as soon as you are aware of an investigation or charges. They will be able to help with preparing and presenting documents required as well as represent you in the hearings that typically occur prior to the court hearing. This can provide an opportunity for a negotiation on a settlement that may not include jail time or minimizes any jail time ordered.
- If you have been charged with Healthcare Fraud, Submit Your Case for a Free Review from a skilled Criminal Defense Attorney.
