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 your regimen. Some people, however, choose to pick up their prescriptions from a host of different pharmacies, which can cause complications. While it makes sense to fill a prescription at a pharmacy that is con

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 funds, medical professionals accepting or providing patient referrals may not exchange gifts or compensation. This practice, also referred to as “remuneration,” may reflect a violation of the AKS. According to C

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 investigate a number of offenses categorized as Medicaid fraud. Unit responsibilities The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates cases of abuse and neglect occurring in facilities, such as nursing homes, funded t

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 between parties. If you receive an unsolicited check in the mail, another party may be hoping to scam you with it. According to Forbes, unsolicited check fraud occurs when a malicious party sends out checks that may

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 puzzles by untangling accounting issues that may be errors or fraud. Embezzlement is a type of fraud that includes the misappropriation of money. Proving fraud Auditors must be very careful when examining the books.

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, it can also negatively impact your health and wellness. This guide explains signs to watch for if you're struggling with drug use. Short and long-term effects Opioids cause a feeling of euphoria when a person f

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 goal. If a medical team agrees to provide patients with inappropriate medications, it could establish a conspiracy. Charges may result when at least one individual takes an obvious step to complete the agreement.

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 important to know when your right to remain silent starts. Essentially, you always have the right not to speak to anyone, including police officers. This right comes from the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, w

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 constitute a felony. Obstruction of correspondence is a federal criminal offense. Upon conviction, you may face up to five years in prison for destroying someone else's mail. Intent is an element It is not poss

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 falsifying medical records. Others get less attention, such as the provision of unnecessary medical services. Exactly what is this form of fraud and how does it manifest in a healthcare setting? Charging for unnecessary

Many people working in the medical field have a specific mental image in mind when they hear the term "medical fraud". People working in small clinics especially tend to view this as an issue that plagues larger institutions. However, medical fraud charges can end up brought against anyone working in the medical community. Thus, it is important to keep an eye on your clinic and your staff in order to avoid any legal issues. What is healthcare fraud? Cornell Law School goes i

Like most people, you probably wired money before. Unfortunately, there are many ways fraudsters can use wire transfers to their advantage. According to the Attorney General of Texas, wire transfers are convenient and easy for scammers to exploit. Signs of a wire transfer scam If you feel any suspicion towards the request, treat the request as a red flag. One of the most significant signs of a scam comes from an IRS call. The IRS does not call individuals and if you receive

Every year, thousands of Texans die from opioid drug overdoses. In 2018, the exact number was 67,367. This number has social and economic impacts on individuals and families, but it also has implications for the surrounding professional medical community. In recent years, for example, many overdose deaths have led to lawsuits against prescribers. For some doctors, the results have been devasting, with court rulings leading not only to high fines and damaged reputations, but

Racketeering is a scary-sounding charge. Many people do not even know what it means, which makes it even more intimidating. Racketeering is a charge with broad applications. Penalties for conviction include fines amounting to thousands of dollars and possible prison terms. CNN explains some of the most important things to know about racketeering. 1. Racketeering is a federal offense Abbreviated RICO, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act is a federal law tha

Borrowing a pill from a family member or friend, or purchasing them from an unauthorized source, taking another person’s prescription medications may lead have serious implications. In fact, depending on the type of medication, you may face criminal charges if found in possession of a drug not prescribed to you by a licensed physician. Understanding the laws as they apply to share prescriptions may help you avoid unnecessary criminal consequences. Prescription drug charges A

Under federal law, money laundering is a serious crime. Unfortunately, laundering can involve unknowing participants. According to the FBI, a money mule is a person who transfers illegal money on another person's behalf. While it may be easy to say that you would never become a money mule, some criminals scam innocent people into aiding them in moving money. Reading the signs Criminals look for students, single persons, and those who need a job. Some work-from-home opportuni

White collar crime stands apart from blue collar crime in many ways, including the reason for a crime to end up considered a federal offense. For example, tampering with mail in any way counts as a federal crime due to the involvement of a government entity: the United States Postal Service. Because of that, mail fraud crimes actually end up charged as federal offenses and often have the penalty to match. What should you know then about the potential penalties associated wit

If you face a drug-related criminal charge, a conviction can affect your career, future and reputation. Drug crimes include possession, trafficking, distribution, prescription fraud and distribution. While police officers and DEA agents can investigate a case and may use different undercover strategies to expose a crime, he or she cannot induce a crime. What is the inducement of a crime? Inducement determines whether an officer committed entrapment or not. For example, an of

Most healthcare providers are honest people with a high degree of integrity who genuinely have their patients' best interests at heart. However, there are exceptions. If one of these individuals has managed to find their way into your practice, they could do devastating damage to your reputation. Whether through insurance billing fraud or ordering unnecessary procedures, some seek to benefit financially to the detriment of both your practice and your patients. Recognizing th

One of your nightmares could be your card ending up in the wrong hands as a credit cardholder. According to Experian, 41% of Americans have reported fraudulent credit card charges. You may think that password carelessness or lost cards are the only ways for fraudsters to target you. However, identity thieves have several ways to access your card. Take extra care and monitor any suspicious activity on your card. Check your balance often Be aware of your balance at all times.