If you take prescription medications, you may prefer to have all of your prescriptions at one pharmacy. Not only does this make it easier for you to keep your medications organized, but it helps the pharmacist and doctor detect drug interactions or inconsistencies in...
Fighting For The Underdog
Austin Texas Criminal Defense Blog
Federal Anti-Kickback Statute violations
Certain actions by medical providers involving federal health care programs may lead to charges. The Anti-Kickback Statute forbids accepting or offering cash or other gratuities in exchange for patient referrals. When health care involves services paid for by federal...
What is the Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit?
When a healthcare professional or facility falsifies information to have Medicaid pay for medical services, that is Medicaid fraud. In 1979, the Texas government created the Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit as an extension of the Office of the Attorney General to...
What is unsolicited check fraud?
Checks are generally simple. You sign a check in order to transfer funds from your checking account to another party or to gain money from another party's checking account, usually in exchange for a good or service. However, some checks do more than convey money...
Facing fraud charges: critical elements needed for a conviction
Do you handle one or more financial aspects of an organization for your Texas employer? If so, you may become the focus of an embezzlement investigation if an audit indicates fraud. According to the American Bar Association, forensic accountants solve compliance...
Why are opioids so addictive?
While some opioids have legitimate medical uses, they still carry a high risk of addiction and dependence. These drugs work via endorphin release, which helps control pain caused by injury or illness. Opioid abuse and misuse will not only lead to serious legal issues,...
Conspiracy charges filed against health care professionals
Federal officials may file conspiracy charges when at least two health care professionals agree to engage in an unlawful act. Cornell Law’s website notes that conspiracy requires that two or more individuals act together with the intent to accomplish an agreed-upon...
When does your right to remain silent kick in?
If you are an adult, you can probably recite the Miranda warning from memory. After all, this warning, which includes your right to remain silent, is common dialogue on television police shows. Still, if you think officers may question you about a crime, it is...
Is it illegal to throw away someone else’s mail?
Because Austin has a hot housing market, it is not uncommon for individuals to move frequently. When you relocate to a new apartment or home, you may receive mail someone sent to previous tenants. While it may be tempting to shred or throw away this mail, doing so may...
Can you get in trouble for giving unnecessary services?
Healthcare fraud serves as a blanket term for numerous actions and situations in which a healthcare professional or provider commits fraudulent acts. Some of these acts get more press coverage than others, such as the illegal selling of prescription drugs or...