Legal Options After Health Care Fraud Allegations
Accusations of health care fraud, prescription drug fraud and related crimes are incredibly serious. They can derail your career, leading to severe fines and the potential for jail time. The authorities may allege criminal activity in billing, coding, writing prescriptions or administering controlled substances. Sentences can be lengthy and may also cost you your medical license.
At The Law Office of E.G. Morris, our proven team of Medicare and Medicaid fraud lawyers understands exactly what is at stake. Our founding attorney, E.G. “Gerry” Morris, has over 40 years of criminal defense experience in Austin. He is an award-winning attorney with a 10.0 Avvo rating and an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell. He was inducted into the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Hall of Fame in 2017. Call now for a consultation.
Common Types Of Heath Care Fraud
If you are looking for an experienced health care fraud attorney, it is important to consider exactly what allegations you are facing. Examples of potential health care fraud include:
- Billing Medicare or Medicaid for services that were not rendered
- Overbilling for services that were rendered
- Writing fraudulent prescriptions, perhaps for financial gain – such as kickbacks for certain prescription medications
- Billing for tests or treatments that were not necessary
- Double billing, which charges assistance programs or insurance providers multiple times for the same services
- Billing for personal expenses
- Using forged documents, such as forged prescriptions
- Impersonating other health care professionals or officials
- Misusing personal information, such as committing identity theft or violating HIPAA
- Upcoding, which provides the patient with a low-cost treatment but then bills for a high-cost alternative
- Phantom billing for medication or other supplies that were never provided to the patient
Essentially, health care fraud is when a medical professional intentionally takes steps to abuse the system, usually so that they can receive excessive financial compensation. They do so by misrepresenting the facts or inventing them entirely. Considered to be federal offenses, these are serious allegations, and you must know what legal steps to take.
Consultation With A Fraud Lawyer
To learn what defense options you have and how you can protect your future, call our firm at 512-893-6121 or use the online contact form to set up a consultation today. These are often complex cases, so it helps to have a legal team with over four decades of experience – and we are here for you.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.