Oregon Healthcare Fraud Attorneys – Defense
In the high-stakes world of healthcare fraud, a fraud allegation in Oregon and its metro areas is more than just a legal challenge—it’s a direct threat to your business future and personal livelihood. Our Oregon healthcare fraud attorneys and lawyers at Watson & Associates, LLC can help.
If You Did NOT Intend to Defraud the Government, We Can Help.
Running your business and moving forward with your career, free of tarnish and allegations of fraud, overbilling, or having your reputation exposed is your goal. To meet that goal sometimes means dealing with healthcare fraud allegations that have no legal merit. Simply because the government launches an FBO ir DOJ investigation against you does NOT mean that you have broken the law.
Defending Your Case Can Be Simpler Than Many May Think
Did You Knowingly Intend to Defraud the Government?
The government will normally Use the Supreme Court Case of Universal Health Servs.. lnc. v. United States ex rel. Escobar,579 U.S. 176, 180 (2016) to support its allegations of you violating the False Claims Act. Litigation against the federal government in both criminal and civil False Claims Act cases can be very expensive and difficult. The government uses Universal Health Servs.. lnc. v. United States ex rel. Escobar to leverage its allegations that under 3 l U.S.C. § 3729, it has met the FCA’s scienter (knowledge) requirement to argue that by merely submitting or signing a document you automatically show a “reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the information.
Oregon anti-kickback law lawyer: At Watson & Associates, LLC our Federal False Claims Act defense attorneys understand that the prosecution MUST prove that you knowingly intended to commit fraud, and that the scienter element of the False Claims Act is one of the most difficult for the government’s prosecutor to prove. We aggressively represent you and focus on deconstructing the government’s case against you. Call our office immediately to secure aggressive legal representation and defense.
Call 1.866.601.6618 and Speak to Mr. Watson
Government Investigations | HealthCare Fraud Criminal Defense Strategies | Subpoenas & Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) | FBI, HHS, Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and DOJ Investigations | Medicare Fraud Defense Lawyer| Indictments | Medical Billing Fraud Defense | Federal Criminal Defense & Trials | Pharmaceutical Fraud | Corporate Compliance | Internal Investigations | Health Care Fraud Investigations Defense
If you have been accused of defrauding Medicare, Medicaid or a private health insurance company, you could be facing a prison sentence and other substantial federal civil or criminal penalties. It is important to retain an experienced healthcare fraud law firm and criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
If you made an honest mistake, acted responsibly or even never intended to commit fraud against the government or any health care organization, there is a chance that you can be exonerated. To accomplish this goal, you want a. solid team that is dedicated to getting some results. This is where our Oregon healthcare fraud defense lawyers and attorneys come in.
What Is Healthcare Fraud?
The Health Care Fraud Statute, codified under 18 USC 1347, makes it a federal offense to intentionally and knowingly defraud a healthcare benefit program. This law also covers attempts to commit such fraud, treating them with the same severity as the crime itself.
For physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers in Oregon, being accused of healthcare fraud is a serious and complex matter. The implications of such an accusation are far-reaching and multifaceted, creating significant challenges when facing healthcare fraud investigations by federal agencies such as the DOJ, DEA, OIG, or others. A federal investigation into “healthcare fraud” can arise from a variety of alleged actions, depending on the specific circumstances involved. This includes:
- Providing and billing for medically unnecessary services
- Billing for services not actually rendered to patients
- Falsifying patient records, prescriptions, physician certifications, and election statements
- Offering or accepting illegal “kickbacks” or referral fees
- Prescribing opioid medications to drug-dependent patients, diverting opioid prescriptions, and other forms of prescription drug fraud
Types of Medical Fraud Cases Our Oregon Anti-kickback Law Lawyer Help With
- Upcoding;
- Duplicate claims;
- Medically unnecessary services;
- Non-rendered services;
- Kickbacks;
- Stark violations;
- Trade Agreements Act
- Drug diversion; or
- Other fraud-related allegations.
What are Possible Legal Defenses to HealthCare Fraud?
There are some potential legal defenses to healthcare fraud charges that our Oregon excessive billing fraud lawyers can help with:
Lack of Intent or Mistake – To commit fraud under health care fraud rules , you must have the requisite legal intent to cheat the government or insurer out of money. If you acted in good faith but made a mistake, accidentally omitted information, made an error, or made a mistake in billing, you cannot be convicted of health care fraud.
Insufficient Evidence – The government must have evidence of your intent to defraud and enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Without sufficient evidence, you cannot be convicted.
Compliance Program – An experienced Oregon healthcare fraud criminal defense lawyer and False Claims Act attorney can help you by directing the fact of your case and aggressively surmounting a solid legal defense. Evidence of a comprehensive compliance plan can be used to show you lacked intent to engage in health care fraud.
Consent – You do not commit fraud if you were granted permission for your actions by the alleged victim. Evidence you were given permission to do what you are accused of is a defense against the charges.
Are you equipped with the right legal strategy to protect and defend your practice and your reputation before it’s too late?
Healthcare providers throughout Oregon and its metro areas are targeted by HHS, DEA, DOJ and other law enforcement agencies in high-stakes federal healthcare fraud investigations.
If you or the company have received a target letter, Civil Investigative Demand, or subpoena for a criminal case, immediately send our Oregon healthcare fraud criminal defense lawyers.
Oregon Healthcare Fraud Attorneys & Defense Lawyers
Most Oregon healthcare fraud cases allege that a medical provider or a healthcare business (lab, pharmacy, hospital, home health agency) has submitted fraudulent billing claims to Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or a commercial insurance company.
Please that true billing mistakes lack the intent that the government seeks to prove. Watson & Associates, LLC Oregon healthcare fraud defense lawyers know that federal prosecutors make mistakes. As a result, our legal team puts forth a rigorous legal defense in both civil and criminal cases. Please call us at 1.866.601.5518.
Medical Billing Fraud Attorney – Who Can Face Medicare Fraud Charges in Oregon
Both beneficiaries and Medicare providers can face charges of insurance fraud. Whether you are a medical care provider such as a physician, nurse, or medical billing employee; or you are a patient charged with fraud, you should retain a Oregon overbilling fraud lawyer immediately.
Some of the common reasons a provider can federal medical billing fraud charges:
- Overbilling of Services – Medicare providers who have not performed services and have billed for them could face criminal charges of fraud. These charges are very serious as they could ultimately result in the provider being banned from receiving any type of payment from these programs. False diagnosis is also another common way providers have defrauded Medicaid and Medicare.
- Violation of Stark and Anti-Kickback Laws – medicare providers are prohibited from referring patients to other providers in return for any type of financial gain. This includes referrals for any type of services including laboratory work, physical therapy, second opinions, etc. All types of providers and medical billing companies are bound by these rules. At Watson & Associates, LLC our federal medicare fraud defense lawyers are here to help you to defend your case.
- Up Billing Patients – when a hospital, physician’s office or a billing company improperly codes procedures or they bill services individually when they are offered as a “bundle”. All submissions for reimbursement must be properly coded and if a pattern of abuse is discovered the Medicare provider could face federal criminal fraud charges.
Oregon FBI Healthcare Fraud Defense Attorneys
If you are facing an FBI investigation, indicted or facing federal charges for healthcare fraud, you should seek legal counsel from an experienced Oregon FBI healthcare fraud lawyer. If your company or home was raided by the FBI and search warrants were involved our criminal defense Oregon anti-kickback law lawyer can help.
Companies and Individuals Have Become Targets for HealthCare Fraud Across the United States
Legal civil and criminal defense for healthcare fraud Oregon: For many healthcare providers, manufacturers, and small and large businesses, participating in federal government benefit programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare is essential to maintaining their financial success. When investigated for health care fraud, federal investigations can be intrusive, scary, and complex.
Your company is subjected to Health Care Fraud False Claims Act charges. This makes you subject to both civil and criminal penalties. The most common health care fraud charges involve alleged overbilling of healthcare services and billing of medical services not rendered. These charges may be brought against doctors, hospitals, home health care agencies, pharmacies and many other types of medical service providers.
Federal Healthcare providers in Oregon and nationwide are being targeted in federal healthcare fraud and False Claims Act investigations. Failure to secure the proper legal defense can expose you to jail time and serious fines. It’s time to find and hire an experienced criminal defense attorney, pharmaceutical fraud lawyers and Oregon healthcare fraud defense lawyer.
You Have Constitutional Rights that the Government Cannot Cross When They Are Trying to Take Your Life, Liberty or Property Away. Let Us Help You Protect Those Rights
Who Are Our Clients
- Physicians;
- Physician assistants;
- Nurses;
- Physical and occupational therapists;
- Pharmacies;
- Pharmacists;
- Drug manufacturers;
- DME suppliers;
- Hospitals; and
- Clinics
Practice Lead (US Supreme Court Licensed)
Call our Oregona healthcare qui tam defense attorneys and federal Oregon healthcare fraud lawyers today for a Free Initial Consultation at 1.866.601.5518.
Speak to Theodore Watson ( US Supreme Court Admitted Lawyer.) Top False Claims Act Oregon healthcare fraud federal criminal defense lawyers for small businesses and large corporations nationwide.
IF YOU'RE READY TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY BOOK A CALL HERE
Nationwide Reach
We can handle federal cases in every state. Watson’s Oregon healthcare fraud criminal defense attorneys serve Oregon including Portland, Eugene, Salem, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Bend, Medford, Springfield, Corvallis, Aloha OR, Albany, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Keizer, Grants Pass OR and more. and healthcare compliance defense attorney, and surrounding metro areas. We will comb the facts of your case, develop the strongest legal defense, and aggressively fight back.
Federal False Claims Act Oregon Lawyers
Oregon Medicare fraud criminal defense lawyers: The False Claims Act (FCA) imposes civil and criminal penalties for the submission of “false or fraudulent” claims for payment by the federal government – including payment under Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, and other federal healthcare programs. This includes intentional and unintentional billing and coding errors, as well as various other forms of healthcare fraud.
Civil penalties under the FCA include fines, recoupments, treble damages, and program exclusion. Criminal penalties include fines and federal imprisonment. Call our Oregon healthcare fraud defense lawyers for immediate help.
Federal Healthcare Fraud Penalties (18 USC 1347)
A violation of 18 USC 1347 in Oregon for federal healthcare fraud is punishable by:
- a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and/or
- the imposition of a fine
Federal healthcare fraud criminal convictions and penalties can result in up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000, with harsher penalties for serious bodily injury or death, potentially leading to a life sentence. If, a criminal violation results in serious bodily injury to any individual, the maximum confinement time is increased to 20 years. If the healthcare fraud violation results in death, the maximum punishment increases in federal prison.
18 USC 1349 provides that a conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud may be punished in the same fashion as the healthcare 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
As Federal Oregon Healthcare fraud defense lawyers, we understand knowledge that the fraudulent conduct is illegal, much less knowledge of the specific provision of federal law which prohibits health care fraud, is not required for a jury conviction under these statutes.
Suppose the defendant knows that the statements or representations they made to obtain money or services through a federal healthcare benefit program are fraudulent. In that case, that is enough to convict regardless of whether the defendant understood that their conduct was illegal.
Oregon Pharmaceutical Fraud Lawyers
At Watson & Associates, LLC, our OR pharmaceutical fraud lawyers 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 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.
Immediate Help from Watson & Associates LLC
Looking to hire a healthcare compliance defense attorney? Whether you. are under federal investigation, presented with a civil investigative demand (CID) or subpoena, or being indicted by a grand jury, our Oregon healthcare fraud criminal defense lawyers and healthcare defense attorneys are here to help.
Contact Our Oregon Health Care Enforcement Action Defense Lawyers
As 18 USC 1347 federal Oregon Healthcare fraud defense lawyers, we represent clients and federal courts in OR healthcare fraud cases under 18 USC 1347,. Please contact our medical fraud lawyers to schedule a FREE initial consultation. Speak to our lead attorney, Theodore Watson, directly.