HealthCare Fraud Attorneys – Defense
Having Your Company Charged or Indicted for Federal Healthcare Fraud False Claims Act Will Expose Your Company’s Reputation While Impacting Your Ability to Create Jobs and Earn Revenues. When You can Show that You Never Intended to Defraud the Government, Our False Claims Act Healthcare Fraud Lawyers Can Reduce the Impact and Focus on Getting Your Case or Investigation Dismissed.
18 USC 1347. makes it a federal crime to defraud any health care benefit program or obtain, by fraudulent means, any money or benefit from a health care program.
- We Put Together Focused Teams for Your Specific Case
- Our medical billing fraud defense attorneys handle every issue as though it were before a jury
- Our law firm understands that taking shortcuts do not win cases.
- Our locations are strategically placed to represent clients across the country.
If you are thinking about hiring a health care fraud attorney, Watson & Associates, LLC only Takes On Cases That Our False Claims Act HealthCare Fraud Defense Attorneys Believe that They Can Help.
We Provide Legal Help With Medical Billing Fraud Defense and False Claims Act Health Care Fraud Civil and Criminal Cases Nationwide.
We Can Reach Your Locations Nationwide. We Have Offices in: Washington, D.C., Denver Colorado; Dubai; Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California – For Effective United States and International Reach
Government Investigations | False Claims Act Health Care Fraud Defense Strategies | Subpoenas & Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) | FBI, HHS, Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and DOJ Investigations | Indictments | Medical Frauds and Medical Billing Fraud Defense | Federal Criminal Defense & Trials | Corporate Compliance | Internal Investigations | Health Care Fraud Investigations Defense.
Are You Under Investigation for Healthcare Fraud? Our Federal Health Care Fraud Lawyers Are Here to Help.
Sometimes an employee (present or former) can initiate a Qui Tam Case (filed under seal) alleging you have committed healthcare fraud. The government has already for months if not years already investigating the case. Then, one day you are served with either a civil investigative demand or a subpoena demanding documents and or testimony. What must you do OR not do? Some companies may not have that luxury. Instead, they are faced with federal agents and investigators at their doors looking to seize computers and documents. See more on how to respond to a subpoena duces tecum.
What You Should Know
What is HealthCare Fraud?
Healthcare fraud under 18 USC 1347 typically involves a scheme to defraud the federal healthcare program. The government’s case may tend to argue false or fraudulent representations in exchange for money – health insurance fraud through payment of invoices or something of value. The key to defending a False Claims Act healthcare fraud case is to show a lack of intent. This is usually the government’s biggest hurdle in a criminal case and something that the federal Anti-Kickback statute lawyers healthcare fraud lawyers at our firm can help.
- bribery,
- kickbacks,
- gratuities, and
- conflicts of interest
- Ghost Patients
- Inflating Cost Reports
- Billing for Services Not Rendered
What Are False Claims Act Healthcare Fraud Penalties Under 18 USC 1347?
A violation of 18 USC 1347 for federal healthcare fraud and False Claims Ac violation is punishable by:
- a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and/or
- the imposition of a fine
- Additional charges of federal conspiracy charges
- Additional wire fraud charges
However, if your violation results in serious bodily injury to any individual, the maximum confinement time is increased to 20 years.
If the violation results in death, the maximum punishment increases in federal prison.
18 USC Section 1349 provides that a conspiracy to commit health care fraud may be punished in the same fashion as the fraud itself, so the maximum punishments would be:
- 10 years, 20 years, or life in federal prison, depending on if the enhancements for injury or death are applicable
Tip: The knowledge that the fraudulent conduct is illegal, much less knowledge of the specific provision of federal law that prohibits health care fraud, is not required for a conviction under these sections.
If the defendant knows that the statements or representations they made to obtain money or services through a federal healthcare benefit program are fraudulent, that is enough to convict regardless of whether the defendant understood that their conduct was illegal.
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How Do You Defend Against a Criminal Healthcare Fraud Case?
How to fight civil or criminal healthcare fraud allegations – this is what we do: How can we defend against false claims and health care fraud? To successfully prevail or win a medical fraud case, you first have to consider the best legal defenses. There are several potential legal defenses to healthcare fraud charges, including :
- Lack of Intent or Mistake
- Insufficient Evidence
- Compliance Program
- Consent
What Does the Prosecution Have to Prove?
When you are accused of federal healthcare fraud, the prosecution has to prove that you or your company engaged in a scheme to steal from a healthcare program, such as Medicare, DOL, Tricare, etc. another government program. Healthcare fraud is broadly interpreted to capture any conduct to illegally obtain a financial benefit of a provider to the detriment of the federal government.
These are all situations where you cannot afford to make mistakes. Our False Claims Act healthcare fraud defense attorneys are here to help you. If you are being investigated for medical billing fraud defense or have already been indicted, the pressure is intense. Do not wait around. Call our federal False Claims act healthcare fraud lawyers immediately at 1.866.601.5518.
View This Video For Crucial HealthCare Fraud Information
The federal government, its enforcement, and investigative teams are aggressively seeking out companies involved in health care fraud. However, despite protecting the industry from fraud, the government still has a legal obligation to prove its case. Many corporations, providers, and individuals find themselves in the government’s cross hairs through allegations of 18 USC 1347 violation. They don’t know what to do or the next steps to take.
What Are Examples of Federal HealthCare Fraud?
Examples of common healthcare False Claims Act fraud charges may include:
- Falsifying certificates of medical necessity in order to bill services
- Upcoding and unbundling
- Falsifying plans of treatment or medical records to justify payments
- Prescribing medically unnecessary compounded pain and scar creams and other expensive medications
- Misrepresenting diagnoses or procedures to maximize payments
- Soliciting “kickbacks” for the provision of various services or goods
- Falsifying claims
- Medical billing fraud defense
- Unlawful prescribing and dispensing prescription drug orders
Who We Are and What We Do
The Watson & Associates, LLC focuses on civil and criminal federal cases involving federal procurement and the healthcare industry. Clients can track the progress of their cases, communicate with us, submit documents, and access additional services. Watson & Associates LLC is a law firm with a nationwide reach, serving federal clients from coast to coast and overseas.
Types of Medical Frauds False Claims Act Health Care Fraud Defense Cases Under 18 USC 1347
Our Federal Healthcare Fraud lawyers and Criminal Defense Attorneys Represents Clients in a Variety of Fraud Case. Suspected health insurance fraud and abuse in healthcare include, but are not limited to:
- Medical Billing for unnecessary medical services
- Billing for services not provided
- False Claims Act healthcare billing more than one contract for the same work under 18 USC 1347
- Upcoding claims – submitting claims that are higher than the level of service provided for higher reimbursement
- Unlicensed medical services and medical insurance fraud
- Medical fraud and false certifications
- Medical billing fraud defense or expenses not incurred as part of the contract
- Falsifying data
- Bribery, kickbacks, gratuities, and conflicts of interest
- Duplicate claims of fraud in the healthcare industry
- Misrepresenting diagnosis or procedure to capitalize on maximum profits
- Unbundling procedures – serrating costs for procedures normally billed as one kind of treatment
- Altering medical records or reports
- Falsifying information on contract proposals
- False Claims Act whistleblower defense
- Medical frauds using Federal funds to purchase items that are not for Government use
- Healthcare overpayment defense lawyers
- Health care fraud lawyers and whistleblower defense attorneys
- Influencing government employees to award a grant or contract to a particular company, family member, or friend.
- Receiving kickbacks for any goods or medical services under the Anti kickback Statute
- Medical insurance fraud and Substituting approved materials with unauthorized products
- Misrepresenting a project’s status to continue receiving Government funds
- Medicare fraud defense strategies
- Charging higher rates than those stated or negotiated for in the bid or contract;
- Federal Conspiracy defense See 18 U.S.C. 1349)
Who Are Our Clients
Watson & Associates, LLC Medical Fraud Defense Attorneys Provide Nationwide Criminal Defense Attorneys and Health Care Fraud Attorneys for Health Care Providers, Hospitals, Pharmaceutical Companies, Licensed Pharmacists and Pharmacies, Manufacturers, and More.
We are nationwide health fraud defense lawyers: If you are being investigated or received a civil investigative demand or subpoena from DHHS, DOJ, FBI, or some other federal law enforcement agency, do not waste time trying to see “how the case goes.” Call of False Claims Act health care fraud attorneys immediately at 1.866.601.5518.
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If you’re under investigation or criminal indictment for healthcare fraud, you need an experienced team of federal healthcare fraud criminal defense attorneys who understand the complexity of your case and can act quickly to protect your rights. When you are staring down the barrel of Medicare fraud, healthcare False Claims Act violations and Anti-Kickback Statute charges, the key to prevailing is to immediately deal with the issue and start compiling a team for your legal defense.
Avoid Common Mistakes During Health Care Fraud Investigations & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Best healthcare fraud defense lawyers for doctors: Healthcare fraud investigations get started in some very disturbing but legal ways. For example, expect that in large medical fraud cases, the government will storm in and seize your computers, laptops, desktops, and mobile devices (all hopefully through a valid search warrant). Cases involving health care fraud have significant paper trails. The government then copies all of the information and then goes through your files to look for information to prove their case.
Tip:Never think that if you speak the truth, everything will be fine (this does not mean to tell lies). Health care fraud agents are not your friends and want to get you to confess to something you may or may not have done. Healthcare investigators may try to twist your words because oftentimes, the interviews are not recorded. Maintaining your silence is the preferred response.
Tip: Similarly, another mistake you want to avoid is convincing yourself that because you have nothing to hide, you should disclose information. This can become the kiss of death. The best thing people can do is to be quiet and call a defense attorney.
Our federal healthcare fraud criminal defense lawyers and medical fraud attorneys can handle federal cases in almost every state.
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GETTING YOUR INVESTIGATION AND OR / CASE UNDER CONTROL IS CRITICAL – THE LONGER YOU WAIT TO ACT, THE LESS NEGOTIATION POWER YOU HAVE AND THE MORE LEVERAGE FEDERAL PROSECUTORS HAVE
If you are at the investigation stage, you cannot afford to wait to see how the “case plays out.” By then, the prosecution had already been targeting you for quite some time. You are now faced with playing catch-up to protect your rights. Hiring health care fraud lawyers who are affordable and yet focused can be a challenge. Watson & Associates, LLC is here to help.
Are you wondering how to defend against False Claims Act healthcare fraud? Our healthcare fraud attorneys can help. We consistently develop a nationwide team of medical billing fraud defense and general medical fraud attorneys to help clients avoid criminal liability.
News – Your goal is not to be the news
These are Real 18 USC 1347 HealthCare Fraud Cases – You Do Not Want to Be Added to This List Below – Call Our Federal Healthcare fraud Criminal Defense Attorneys Immediately at 1.866.601.5518 OR book a call at the link below.
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Urine Drug Testing Laboratory And Owner Agree To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations (October 11, 2024; U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of North Carolina) San Diego Physician And Medical Practice Pay $3.8 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations (October 11, 2024; U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California) |
Under the Inspector General Act of 1978, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG) is responsible for conducting criminal investigations into fraud, waste, and abuse involving HHS programs, including HHS contracts.
A false claims or health care fraud case can start with a simple mistake, unintentional medical billing errors, or some other error. The government must prove intent to defraud. As your medical defense attorney, we build a solid defense team of healthcare fraud attorneys to fight back and force the federal government to dismiss or settle the matters.
Nationwide Attorney for Fraud Defense – Have You Been Served With a Civil Investigative Demand (CID)?
Federal law enforcement agencies use different approaches to investigate health care fraud or health insurance fraud. Typically, prosecutors will allege False Claims Act HealthCare Fraud violations and will issue you a Civil Investigative Demand (CID), or a subpoena in a criminal case. The CID is used up front to force you to provide a multitude of documents to the government. However, having a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) defense lawyer to help sift through the documents or testimony that can incriminate you is essential.
Our federal False Claims Act healthcare fraud criminal defense lawyers help you minimize your exposure to criminal or civil liability cases involving violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, the False Claims Act, and Stark Law.
At Watson & Associates, LLC, our criminal HealthCare Fraud Defense Lawyers represent and defend companies and individuals nationwide under 18 USC 1347. We aim to dispel any weaknesses in the government’s case, from healthcare fraud investigations to indictments and trials.
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Is It Worth Opening Yourself to Jail Time or Paying $1.9 Million to Settle Allegations of Medical Billing Fraud? Our federal healthcare fraud attorneys can Help. See this Case.
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Call our qui tam defense lawyers and federal health care fraud attorneys today for a Free Initial Consultation at 1.866.601.5518.
Speak to Theodore Watson. Top False Claims Act healthcare fraud defense attorneys for small businesses and large corporations nationwide.
Nationwide Healthcare Fraud Defense Attorneys, Healthcare Enforcement Action Defense Attorneys, Medicare Audit Fraud Criminal Defense Lawyers
Our federal False Claims Act HealthCare Fraud Criminal Defense Attorneys and healthcare overpayment defense lawyers can provide legal defense in most states including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana healthcare fraud lawyers, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire healthcare enforcement action defense attorney, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Our Healthcare Fraud Defense Lawyers Can represent clients and assist manufacturers, hospitals, providers, and CEOs include Anchorage, AK; Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Colorado Springs, CO; Dallas, TX; Denver, Colorado; Indianapolis, IN; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Philadelphia, PA; San Antonio healthcare enforcement action defense lawyer, TX; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Jose, CA; Santa Clara, CA; and Tampa, FL.
When Clients Have the Resources, We Immediately Build a Team of Aggressive Healthcare Enforcement Action Defense Attorneys
Thinking about hiring a healthcare fraud lawyer? Watson’s healthcare fraud defense lawyers offer white-collar defense, litigation, and investigation defense when there is a healthcare enforcement action or indictment issued. Our health. care fraud defense lawyers help clients conduct internal investigations when the is a civil investigative demand or subpoena issued in a criminal case.
As federal healthcare fraud attorneys, we defend clients nationwide in federal health care fraud investigation and prosecution litigation. The Criminal and Civil Divisions launch these investigative actions at the Department of Justice (DOJ), US Attorneys’ Offices, the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services HHS, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Call our federal healthcare enforcement action defense attorneys for immediate help.
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Another aspect of healthcare fraud that triggers healthcare False Claims Act defense lawyers to aggressively defend civil and criminal cases is the unlawful distribution of Adderall pills. Federal prosecutors will often claim that you initiated a scheme to distribute Adderall and other stimulants over the Internet and that you prescribed Adderall, fentanyl, and other stimulants to individuals suffering from drug addiction.
Medicare Fraud Defense Attorney
False Claims Act Healthcare fraud criminal defense lawyers for individuals or companies investigated or charged with Federal False Claims Act healthcare violations: Medicare professionals can often face false claims and criminal investigations for healthcare fraud charges for phantom medical billing fraud, and up-coding. Receiving a subpoena and civil investigative demand can create stress and confusion in Medicare fraud cases. Our Medicare fraud defense attorneys and healthcare fraud defense lawyers can help.
Defense lawyer for healthcare providers facing fraud under 18 US Code 287. or 18 USC 1347. Where many medicare fraud defense cases arise, you cannot make inaccurate or fraudulent claims against the United States or any of its agencies. This includes making false statements to the Medicaid and Medicare programs. You should also be aware of 18 US Code § 1001 which makes it unlawful to provide materially false or fraudulent statements or documents concerning any matter within the jurisdiction of the federal government.
WATCH THIS VIDEO IF YOU ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION, INDICTED / CHARGED, OR FACING TRIAL FOR FALSE CLAIMS ACT – GET CRITICAL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU GET YOUR DEFENSE STARTED.
Speak with Lead healthcare fraud defense attorney, Theodore P. Watson today for immediate help. Call 1.866.601.5518.
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Contact Our Federal False Claims Act HealthCare Fraud Lawyers for Immediate Help
Looking for immediate help Medical billing fraud criminal defense attorney: Protect Your Future with Watson & Associates’ 18 USC 1347 18 USC 1347 False Claims Act healthcare fraud attorneys: For a confidential, no-cost initial consultation with one of our federal healthcare fraud lawyers, contact the best healthcare fraud criminal defense lawyers and medicare fraud, healthcare fraud attorneys at Watson & Associates. Call 1-866-601-5518. Your defense, from coast to coast. Speak to Theodore Watson. If you are thinking about hiring a healthcare fraud lawyer