Champaign County Healthcare Fraud Lawyer
The government is the single largest provider of medical services in the U.S. For this reason, federal and state investigators take allegations of healthcare fraud very seriously, and Illinois has multiple units that constantly pore over health data to pinpoint suspicious billing practices.
At Patel Law, PC, our legal team can defend anyone accused of healthcare fraud. Penalties are very serious and can even include exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs, which might ultimately lead to the shuttering of your health practice. Contact our Champaign County healthcare fraud lawyer today for a case analysis in a confidential setting.
Types of Healthcare Fraud
Healthcare fraud leads to unnecessary disbursements for medical services and can take many forms. We are prepared to defend someone accused of violating any of the following provisions.
- Illegal kickbacks. Federal law prohibits receiving or offering a kickback in exchange for a referral to use government healthcare services. Many different healthcare providers can be charged with illegal kickbacks, including nursing homes, hospitals, ambulance services, and hospice or at-home healthcare providers.
- Self-referrals. Federal law prohibits a doctor from referring a patient to a healthcare provider that he or she has an ownership interest in, or in which family members have an ownership interest. For example, a doctor can’t refer a patient to a rehabilitation clinic that the doctor partially owns.
- False claims. It is illegal to submit false claims to Medicare or another government program. Defendants face criminal and civil liability.
- Fraudulent certifications. The government can prosecute someone for fraudulently certifying home health care or nursing home care.
- Billing fraud. Regulators strive to uncover all fraudulent billing practices, such as upcoding, unbundling, or billing for services or medical devices which are never provided. Hospitals also receive excess payments for very sick individuals, which is also the source of some fraud.
- Prescription drug fraud. The government regulates controlled substances and keeps an eye on doctors and pharmacies that dispense large amounts of certain narcotics. In addition to committing insurance fraud, defendants might be charged with drug trafficking or related offenses.
These are only some of the common areas of focus for government regulators; we are aware of many others. If you work in the healthcare field and are suspected of fraud, you need an attorney by your side.
We Can Defend You in Any Healthcare Fraud Investigation
Our firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of medical providers and others suspected of fraud. Once you receive notice of an investigation, you should immediately reach out to an attorney. We can quickly spring into action to make sure you comply with a government investigation while protecting the privacy of your patients. Medical providers are uniquely vulnerable in investigations because they still must reasonably protect sensitive patient information—even in the face of government subpoenas.
Contact Patel Law, PC Today
Please call us today to speak with a Champaign County, Illinois healthcare fraud attorney. We will determine the best way to respond to fraud allegations and communicate on your behalf with investigators.
