Healthcare Fraud Defense In Dallas
Healthcare fraud is a white collar crime that carries significant criminal penalties such as large fines and incarceration in addition to the lasting damage a conviction can have on your record and your reputation. Charges often stem from accusations of defrauding government entities such as Medicare or Medicaid, placing the accused squarely in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors who have resources to spare in pursuing a conviction. A Dallas healthcare fraud lawyer can help.
You should not face these accusations alone. In Dallas and surrounding Texas communities, you do not have to. At Michael Uhl, P.C., we understand the complex nature of healthcare fraud cases and have the skills and resources necessary to navigate the criminal justice system to protect your rights and good name. Together, we can help you develop a strong defense strategy and successfully fight any healthcare fraud allegations you might be facing.
Understanding What Healthcare Fraud Is
Healthcare fraud happens when an organization or person deceives an insurance provider or healthcare program on purpose in order to receive money for healthcare-related payments. Although fraud is generally defined as being related to intentional acts on behalf of the perpetrator, investigations from federal agencies like the Department of Justice can arise from unintentional actions.
Many Sources Can Raise Healthcare Fraud Complaints, Including Whistleblowers and Data Reviews
Allegations of healthcare fraud crimes can arise as a result of whistleblower claims, faulty billing practices, data reviews, or audits carried out by investigative agencies like the state Medicaid Fraud Control Unit or Office of Inspector General. Regardless of the circumstances of your healthcare fraud case, an experienced Dallas healthcare fraud lawyer from our firm can help protect your rights and interests if you are facing investigations or charges.
A Fierce Defense From A Proven Criminal Defense Lawyer
Our ultimate goal is a complete dismissal of the charges you face. We will tenaciously pursue that goal by analyzing the evidence, engaging in forensic accounting and interviewing witnesses. We defend against all types of healthcare fraud charges, including:
- Medicaid fraud
- Medicare fraud
- Altering claims
- Filing claims for services not rendered
- Overbilling and/or overpayment
- Performing unnecessary procedures to receive an insurance payment
- Misrepresentation of a procedure to obtain payment for covered procedures
- Upcoding
We will thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding your charges in order to build the strongest possible defense based on factors such as the absence of fraud, lack of intent or lack of knowledge.
Fight Back With A
Strong Defense
How a Dallas Healthcare Fraud Lawyer Can Help You Defend Your Case
The experienced criminal defense team at Michael Uhl, P.C., has years of combined experience helping represent individuals and practices who have been accused of healthcare fraud practices like accepting kickbacks or upcoding. We are deeply aware of the specific challenges that local healthcare stakeholders face when it comes to maintaining compliance and can leverage this knowledge to defend your rights and interests.
Using a team player mentality, a dedicated healthcare fraud defense lawyer from our firm can work with industry professionals — such as healthcare providers — to justify any billing practices that are being charged as fraudulent. We can deeply look into the prosecution’s case against you, including subsequent evidence, to call into question the accuracy and validity of their case.
Whether your case involves miscommunication between an employee and referral doctor, clerical mistakes, or billing errors due to a lack of knowledge, a dedicated criminal defense attorney from our team can help you design and implement a personalized defense strategy. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, it may be necessary to negotiate with prosecutors to get a reduced sentence or charges. A skilled lawyer can assist with this.
While most healthcare fraud cases are resolved outside of the courtroom, some may require going to court. In this case, a fierce litigator from our firm can present optimal legal arguments on your behalf, working to fight for favorable outcomes. From collecting evidence on your behalf to defending you in court, a dedicated attorney from our firm can help champion your case.
Medicare Fraud: Bad PR And Catastrophic Consequences
When charged with fraud against Medicare or Medicaid – the two most prominent government healthcare programs – you are essentially being charged with defrauding taxpayers by misusing funds that were meant to help the elderly and the poor. The criminal consequences can involve prison time and seven-figure fines. However, the public relations hit of kicking our most vulnerable while they are down could haunt your personal and professional reputation long after you have served your time and paid your fines. It is critical to have an attorney looking out for you as soon as possible. Early intervention could result in charges never being filed and spare you from the collateral consequences of Medicare fraud or Medicaid fraud charges.
Working to Prevent Healthcare Fraud Accusations in Dallas
As allegations of healthcare fraud in Dallas and surrounding areas can be extremely detrimental to a healthcare organization or practice, it is critical to take adequate steps to prevent this from happening. A Dallas healthcare provider, practice, or organization can consider the following steps to protect their future and reputation:
- Carrying out routine audits of documentation and billing procedures within the organization.
- Designing and implementing all-encompassing compliance policies.
- Making sure staff is regularly trained when it comes to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance rules and regulations.
- Maintaining compliance when it comes to entering into referral agreements, healthcare business arrangements, or other partnerships.
With the complex healthcare regulatory landscape constantly in flux, it can be highly challenging for small practices or larger healthcare organizations to maintain compliance. A skilled and empathetic Dallas healthcare fraud lawyer can help you take crucial steps to protect your rights and interests and ensure you are operating in compliance.
FAQs
Government agencies, such as the Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of Inspector General, and Department of Justice, carry out healthcare fraud investigations. Such investigations may involve interviews, reviewing of documents or data, audits, and subpoenas. These investigations are commonly triggered by whistleblower statements. If you are under investigation for healthcare fraud, it’s crucial to contact a skilled lawyer.
Yes, unintentional billing errors can lead to healthcare fraud charges in Texas if they are a result of charging a federal program or a private healthcare insurer. Although intent is generally a key factor that must be included to justify fraud charges, systemic billing issues or frequently occurring mistakes can constitute negligence or recklessness, leading to serious charges.
A Texas healthcare fraud attorney can help show that these errors were unintentional and that corrective measures were taken to address the issue.
You can protect your Texas practice from healthcare fraud allegations by developing and implementing robust compliance operating procedures and programs, training staff on relevant local and federal regulations, and carrying out regular billing audits. If your practice is located in Dallas, a Dallas healthcare fraud lawyer can evaluate your business practices and help you determine any potential liabilities.
The amount of time a healthcare fraud investigation may take depends on various factors, including the complexity of the case and the involved evidence. During this time, state and federal regulatory agencies may need to go over complex billing records and interview relevant staff members and healthcare professionals. A healthcare fraud lawyer can work to help you streamline the investigation process and minimize any disruptions to your practice.
By working with a Dallas-based healthcare fraud lawyer, you can benefit from their knowledge of local rules and regulations, in addition to the specific challenges providers face when it comes to compliance. They can provide you with personalized support and insight, helping to optimize your chances of a favorable case outcome and protect your business’ future and reputation that you have worked so hard to build.
Act Today To Protect Your Interests
Healthcare fraud charges can come with disastrous consequences, including hefty fines, restitution payments, imprisonment, and even a loss of license. Nothing good comes from waiting another day to get the representation you need in the face of damaging healthcare fraud charges. Call 214-237-0809 or contact us online to arrange a free case evaluation with an accomplished defense lawyer.