Nationwide Healthcare Fraud Attorneys – False Claims Act Medicare Fraud Lawyers – Criminal Defense
National Medical Fraud Lawyers – Immediate Civil and Criminal Defense and Legal Help With Federal False Claims Act Healthcare Fraud Charges Across the United States
Are you or your organization under investigation for federal Medicare fraud, Medicaid fraud, or any healthcare fraud charge?If you did not intend to defraud the government, we can help.
Get a Free Initial Consultation 1 (866) 601.5518.
We Form a Team of Actual Healthcare Trial Lawyers – and Can Push Back Against Federal Prosecutors in Criminal and FCA Cases
We Understand the Federal False Claims Act and, Most Importantly, the Problems that Prosecutors Have Bringing Cases
Our Federal Healthcare Fraud Lawyers Handle Civil and Criminal Cases Throughout the United States
If you’re a physician, medical executive, or healthcare business owner and you’ve been contacted by federal agents or served with a subpoena, your livelihood may be at serious risk. The federal government is aggressively targeting providers and entities involved in Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE billing.
Civil and Criminal Investigations | Healthcare Whistleblower Defense | Grand Jury Indictment Subpoenas & CIDs | FBI, HHS, OIG Investigations | Search Warrant Defense | Federal Indictments | Criminal Defense & Trials
National Practice Lead – Admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States
Speak to Theodore Watson (Admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States).
TOP Lead Federal Litigation Attorney- Get a Free Attorney Consultation. – 1.866.601.5518 (Toll Free)
Top False Claims Act healthcare fraud lawyer for small businesses and large healthcare corporations nationwide. Call our qui tam defense lawyers and federal fraud attorneys today for a Free Initial Consultation at 1.866.601.5518.
Why Hire a Top National Federal Healthcare Fraud Criminal Defense Attorney?
- – Defend clients in Medicare, Medicaid, insurance fraud, kickback, and False Claims Act cases nationwide
- – Handle DOJ, HHS, OIG, CMS, and FBI healthcare investigations in virtually every state
- – Represent healthcare professionals, billing managers, executives, and businesses virtually everywhere in the U.S.
- – Deploy proven defense strategies to fight charges, avoid indictments, and secure favorable results
Types of Federal Healthcare Fraud Cases We Defend
- – Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance fraud
- – Kickback, Stark Law, and anti-kickback violations
- Healthcare federal grants
- – Upcoding, unbundling, and medically unnecessary billing
- – False Claims Act (FCA), whistleblower, and qui tam defense
- – Telemedicine, home health, DME, and pharmacy fraud
- – Conspiracy, mail/wire fraud, and government contract fraud
What to Do If You’re Under a Federal Healthcare Fraud Investigation
Federal Healthcare Fraud Laws & Penalties
- Federal statutes involved:
- – 18 U.S.C. § 1347 (Healthcare Fraud Statute)
- – False Claims Act (FCA)
- – Anti-Kickback Statute
- – Stark Law
- – Prison time and felony conviction
- – Heavy fines, asset forfeiture, restitution
- – License revocation and exclusion from federal healthcare programs
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IF INVESTIGATED OR INDICTED FOR FEDERAL HEALTHCARE FRAUD
Call 1.866.601.6618 if you are seeking to retain a medical fraud lawyer and Speak to Mr. Watson
Civil vs. Criminal Healthcare Fraud: Why It Matters
- – Civil Charges: Financial penalties, program exclusion—no jail time
- – Criminal Charges:Felony, risk of incarceration, loss of license and career
- Whatever the case, consult a federal healthcare fraud lawyer immediately to protect your rights, assets, and reputation.
At Watson & Associates, LLC, our experienced federal healthcare fraud lawyers and medicare fraud defense attorneys represent clients across the healthcare industry, including physicians, outpatient clinics, behavioral health centers, DME suppliers, hospice agencies, and medical executives.
Our law firm defends clients in federal investigations, civil litigation under the False Claims Act, and criminal prosecutions involving alleged fraud schemes. We help you navigate complex regulatory issues while aggressively protecting your rights.
Common Types of Criminal Federal Healthcare Fraud Charges
Whether you’re facing allegations involving Medicare Fraud, Tricare, or need a skilled Medicaid fraud lawyer, our team is ready to defend your rights. Our healthcare fraud attorneys also represent clients as their Medicaid fraud lawyer, especially in cases involving fraud in medical billing discrepancies, prior authorization issues, or accusations of upcoding. Several federal statutes govern healthcare fraud and are frequently used in criminal and civil cases including:
The False Claims Act (31 USC 3729–3733): This law allows the federal government to pursue you or your company if you knowingly submit false or fraudulent claims to government healthcare programs.
Civil and Criminal False Claims Act Penalties can include treble damages and civil fines exceeding $25,000 per claim.*
Anti-Kickback Statute (42 USC 320a-7b). This federal criminal statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving anything of value to induce or reward referrals or generate federal healthcare program business. Criminal convictions can result in felony charges, exclusion from federal programs, and up to 10 years in prison.
Stark Law (42 U.S.C. § 1395nn). This is a strict liability statute that prohibits physicians from referring patients for certain designated services payable by Medicare or Medicaid if the physician has a financial relationship with the entity. Penalties include fines and exclusion.
Medicare Fraud and Healthcare Fraud (18 USC 1347) A criminal statute that makes it illegal to knowingly execute a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program. It carries up to 10 years in prison, or 20 years if it results in serious bodily injury.
Conspiracy (18 USC 371). Frequently added to fraud indictments, conspiracy charges involve two or more persons working together to commit healthcare fraud.
Wire Fraud (18 USC1343). Use of email, telephone, or internet to commit fraud can trigger additional felony charges. A single healthcare fraud investigation can implicate multiple statutes, significantly raising the stakes for a defendant.
Who Are Our Clients?
Watson & Associates, LLC Medical Fraud Defense Attorneys and Pharmaceutical Fraud Defense Attorneys Provide Nationwide False Claims Act Healthcare Enforcement Action Defense Lawyers for Providers, Hospitals, Pharmaceutical Companies, Licensed Pharmacists, Doctors, and Pharmacies, Manufacturers, and More.
We are nationwide federal healthcare fraud attorneys and pharmaceutical fraud defense lawyers: If you are being investigated or have 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 our medical billing fraud defense attorneys, healthcare fraud law firm, and False Claims Act health care fraud attorneys immediately at 1.866.601.5518.
What is the Government’s Burden of Proof in a Federal Criminal Healthcare Fraud Case?
Our federal medical fraud attorneys defend clients in DOJ, HHS, and OIG cases. False Claims Act Healthcare fraud under 18 US Code 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 prosecutor has to prove every element of the case”beyond a reasonable doubt.” This is a very high legal standard. 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 and fraud in medical billing fraud law firm, and a criminal healthcare fraud enforcement action defense lawyer at our firm can help.
- bribery,
- kickbacks,
- gratuities, and
- conflicts of interest
- Ghost Patients
- Inflating Cost Reports
- Billing for Services Not Rendered
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.
If you are thinking about hiring a health care fraud lawyer, Watson & Associates, LLC only Takes On Cases That Our Federal False Claims Act Healthcare Fraud defense attorneys believe that They Can Help.
Federal Pharmaceutical Fraud Criminal Defense Attorneys
At Watson & Associates, LLC, our federal pharmaceutical fraud criminal defense attorneys provide aggressive legal defense for companies, healthcare providers, and executives facing federal investigations and criminal charges.
Whether you’re being targeted for off-label marketing, kickback schemes, fraudulent billing, or violations of the False Claims Act, our team understands how to navigate the complex web of pharmaceutical regulations and government enforcement actions.
With decades of combined experience in healthcare fraud defense, our federal medical fraud lawyers represent clients during DOJ and OIG investigations, audits, and federal court proceedings. If you’re under scrutiny or have been charged with pharmaceutical fraud, contact our law firm today to protect your rights and business.
What Are False Claims Act Healthcare Fraud Penalties Under 18 USC 1347?
A knowledgeable health care fraud defense attorney will know how to challenge the government’s burden of proof under statutes like 18 USC 1347 and the False Claims Act A violation of 18 USC 1347 for federal healthcare fraud and False Claims Act 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
Federal Healthcare Fraud Investigations & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Best federal healthcare fraud attorneys for doctors: Federal healthcare fraud investigations defense cases 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 health care fraud attorney
Defending Healthcare Fraud Cases Under the False Claims Act – Help for Doctors, Pharmacies, and Medicare and Healthcare Providers
Federal prosecutors often lean heavily on the 2016 Supreme Court ruling in Universal Health Servs., Inc. v. United States ex rel. Escobar, 579 U.S. 176, which allowed them to pursue False Claims Act (FCA) cases by showing a provider acted with “reckless disregard” for the truth. This approach has become a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to secure convictions, extract large settlements, and even push for jail time in Medicare fraud and healthcare fraud cases involving doctors, pharmacies, and healthcare entities.
What the US Supreme Court Said and How We Fight Back
But in a critical and more recent decision—United States ex rel. Schutte et al. v. SuperValu Inc. et al.—the U.S. Supreme Court clarified and narrowed the standard. The Court emphasized that FCA liability must be judged by a subjective standard: what the defendant actually believed or knew at the time of the alleged false claim, not what a reasonable person should have known. This ruling marks a major shift, favoring defendants when credible evidence can be presented to show there was no intent to defraud.
At Watson & Associates, our healthcare fraud lawyers leverage the Schutte decision to dismantle the government’s narrative in both civil and criminal FCA cases. By showing our client’s honest interpretation of regulatory requirements—or a genuine misunderstanding of complex billing codes—we can undermine the “knowing” element the government must prove. This is especially powerful in criminal prosecutions, where the defense only needs to raise reasonable doubt, and in civil cases, where the burden of proof still rests squarely with the government. Are You Facing Healthcare Fraud Charges? Learn How to Protect Yourself Here
While no case outcome can be guaranteed, our approach is strategic, aggressive, and grounded in the latest legal precedent. We build strong, evidence-backed defenses to protect your professional license, your financial future, and your freedom. If you or your healthcare organization is facing FCA allegations or a government investigation, contact a trusted healthcare fraud defense lawyer at Watson & Associates today.
Free Nationwide Consultation – Speak to a Federal Healthcare Fraud Defense Lawyer
- – Contact us for a free, confidential case review anywhere in the United States
- – Immediate legal help—all information protected by attorney-client privilege
- – Call or use our secure online form; response within hours
Critical Questions About Federal Healthcare Fraud That Most People Don’t Know to Ask
These answers could mean the difference between freedom and jailtime for a felony.
1. What is the average sentence for federal healthcare fraud?
Answer: Depending on the amount of alleged loss, a conviction can lead to 3–10 years in federal prison. If the loss is over $1 million, or you’re accused of orchestrating or organizing the scheme, your sentence could be even harsher. Even first-time offenders can face significant prison time if the government believes the fraud was deliberate.
2. Can I be charged even if I didn’t know I was committing fraud?
Answer: Yes — and it happens more often than you think. In federal law, prosecutors can charge you under “willful blindness” or “reckless disregard.” This means even if you didn’t intend to commit fraud, failing to catch or prevent billing errors or improper coding can still result in criminal charges.
3. What happens if I speak to federal investigators without a lawyer?
Answer: Federal agents are trained to extract information, not to help you. Even a seemingly harmless answer can be used against you later. Many professionals make their situation worse by trying to “clear things up” on their own. The safest move? Do not answer anything without legal counsel present.
4. How does the government build a case against me?
Answer: Federal prosecutors rely on billing data, whistleblower reports, internal audits, undercover operations, and electronic communications. Even small errors can be used to suggest intent if there’s a pattern. It’s not just about what you did — it’s about how they interpret it.
5. What’s the difference between civil and criminal healthcare fraud?
Answer: Civil cases can result in fines, repayments, or exclusion from Medicare/Medicaid programs. Criminal cases, however, mean felony charges, prison time, and the potential loss of your professional license. Many don’t realize how quickly a civil audit can escalate into a criminal indictment.
6. If I cooperate with investigators, will they go easier on me?
Answer: Not necessarily. Many defendants mistakenly believe cooperation equals leniency. You could still be charged, even if you fully cooperate. Saying the wrong thing, even with good intentions, may lead to obstruction charges or be used as an admission of guilt. Always let a defense lawyer speak on your behalf.
7. What should I do if I’ve received a subpoena or target letter?
Answer: A target letter means the government is actively building a case against you and believes it has enough evidence to indict. A subpoena demands that you provide documents or testify — often a sign you’re already under serious investigation. Don’t wait. Contact a federal criminal defense lawyer immediately.
Why Choose Our National Healthcare Fraud Defense Lawyers?
- – The law firm handles complex Medicare/Medicaid and federal fraud defense
- – Aggressive and responsive advocacy for doctors, hospitals, and healthcare businesses
- – Federal litigation and trial experience in courts nationwide
- – 24/7 availability for urgent legal help coast to coast
- – Free, confidential consultation—act now to defend your career
Nationwide 18 USC 1347 Federal False Claims Act Healthcare Fraud Lawyers, Medicare Fraud Criminal Defense Attorneys
Hiring a federal health care fraud attorney? Our federal False Claims Act HealthCare Fraud attorneys, medical fraud, and healthcare overpayment criminal defense attorneys can provide legal defense in most states including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas healthcare fraud defense lawyer, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois medicare fraud defense attorney, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine healthcare fraud defense attorney, Maryland federal medical fraud defense lawyers, Massachusetts, Michigan federal medical fraud lawyers, Minnesota healthcare fraud attorneys, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire healthcare fraud defense lawyers, New Mexico healthcare enforcement action defense lawyer, New York, North Carolina, 18 USC 1347 medical fraud attorneys in Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC healthcare fraud defense lawyer, West Virginia, Wisconsin pharmaceutical fraud lawyer, and Wyoming.
Looking for a Healthcare fraud criminal defense lawyer near me? Our federal healthcare fraud criminal defense attorneys, medicare fraud law firm and healthcare enforcement action defense lawyers, Can represent clients and assist manufacturers, hospitals, providers, and CEOs including Anchorage, AK; Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Colorado Springs, CO; Dallas, TX; Denver, Colorado; Indianapolis, IN; Las Vegas healthcare enforcement action defense attorney, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Philadelphia, PA; San Antonio healthcare fraud lawyers, TX; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Jose healthcare fraud defense lawyer, CA; Santa Clara, CA; and Tampa, FL.
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Contact National Federal Healthcare Fraud Attorneys & Medicare Fraud Defense Lawyers – Free Initial Consultation
- – Call 1.866.601.5518 now for immediate legal help
- – Submit a confidential online case review form
- – Available 24/7—representing clients in all 50 states
Don’t face a federal investigation alone. Call Watson & Associates to speak with our top-rated healthcare fraud lawyers. Our healthcare fraud defense lawyers and medical fraud lawyers are ready to build your defense, protect your practice, and secure your future. For a confidential, no-cost initial consultation with one of our federal medical fraud lawyers, contact the best healthcare fraud lawyer and medicare fraud defense attorney, False Claims Act 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 defense lawyer