Maryland Federal Healthcare Fraud Lawyer
The Federal Bureau of Investigation oversees alleged health care fraud at both the state and federal level, which the agency describes as a rising threat costing the country tens of billions of dollars each year. With so much money at stake, it is no wonder that the FBI has ramped up its targeted investigations in recent years, in hopes of exposing these crimes.
Unfortunately, with increased investigation comes the greater chance of wrongly accusing medical professionals and others of healthcare fraud. If you are facing unfair federal healthcare fraud allegations, a Maryland federal healthcare fraud lawyer can help. Call today to discuss your case with an experienced Maryland federal fraud lawyer and begin building the strongest defense possible.
What is Federal Healthcare Fraud in Maryland?
Healthcare fraud schemes typically involve stealing a patient’s private medical information and using the discovered information to seek insurance reimbursement for services that were never actually rendered or medical goods or devices that were never actually received or used by the patient.
It can also involve medical professionals who order tests and procedures for patients that are not medically necessary, in order to obtain the insurance payment. Medicaid and Medicare fraud (pdf) are also forms of federal healthcare fraud. Regardless of the reasons you were charged with fraud, our Maryland federal healthcare fraud lawyers can mount a strong defense on your behalf.
Persons charged with healthcare fraud are frequently accused of copying or selling patient information accessed in the scope of their job as a medical professional, obtaining medical identities through fraudulent means, inducing patients to provide medical information by providing an incentive, or offering legitimate services, like free health screenings, with the intent to steal patient insurance information. Doctors may be accused of padding the billing for real medical services with additional services that did not take place, or of so-called “unbundling” – billing for each component of a medical procedure as if they were separate.
Our Maryland federal healthcare fraud lawyers understand that it is possible for medical professionals and others in the healthcare industry to be wrongly accused of participating in healthcare fraud while simply engaging in their regular job duties, or by associating with others involved in a healthcare fraud scam. If you have been accused of healthcare fraud, your Maryland federal healthcare fraud attorney with our firm will fight passionately to clear your name.
Healthcare Fraud Penalties at the Federal Level
Penalties for federal healthcare fraud in Maryland can be harsh, as outlined in the of Health Insurance Privacy and Accountability Act of 1996, which set the standard penalty for healthcare fraud at up to ten years in prison, in addition to hefty fines. Depending on the circumstances in the case, penalties can increase in severity. In determining penalties, the courts typically consider the amount of money in question, and whether any patients were injured, died or suffered damages related to the theft of their identity. Injury to or death of a patient may result in 20 years to life in prison.
Consult an Experienced Maryland Federal Healthcare Fraud Lawyer
It is unfortunate that the dishonest behavior of a few physicians and healthcare providers has cast doubt on all members of the medical profession, most of whom go above and beyond to provide excellent and ethical patient care. If you have unfairly come under suspicion for healthcare fraud, let our experienced Maryland federal healthcare fraud lawyers to fight to clear your name and restore your reputation. Your Maryland federal healthcare fraud attorney will work diligently so that you can get back to doing what you do best – helping your patients.