Phoenix Healthcare Fraud Lawyer

There has been a significant rise in healthcare fraud cases in the last five years, receiving increased attention from the federal government and prosecutors. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), tens of billions of dollars are stolen due to healthcare fraud every year. Fraudulent schemes can occur in one of many ways. The most typical kind occurs when doctors or health professionals receive more money by lying to insurance companies about false medical procedures.

Healthcare Fraud can be divided by the following:

• Employer Healthcare Fraud
  • Creating fake health insurance companies or employee benefit plans
  • Falsifying the hire or termination dates to expand coverage dates
  • Enrolling ineligible employees for health care coverage
• Insured Member Healthcare Fraud
  • Use of false information on health program applications
  • Filing claims for services, treatment, medication not received
  • Use of another person’s coverage or insurance to acquire services
• Provider (Doctors and Therapists) Healthcare Fraud
  • Billing for services not provided
  • Doubling billing
  • Fabricating dates, description of services, or identities of members or providers
  • Distributing non-approved drugs or devices
  • Maximizing payment by reporting intentionally incorrect diagnoses or procedures
  • Medical equipment fraud
  • Failure to oversee unlicensed personnel

Arizona and Federal Healthcare Fraud Violation Penalties

Healthcare fraud is classified as a white-collar crime which involves the filing of falsified healthcare claims in order to make a profit. Due to the aggressive response by the U.S. government, what were once observed as simple billing errors are now regarded as fraud. Federal law provides for both criminal and civil penalties for health care fraud. While civil penalties only require restitution to be paid, state and federal criminal charges can lead to significant consequences.

These Federal penalties include the following:

• Prison
  • Lying in regard to Medicaid or Medicare claims is punishable by five years in prison per offense.
  • Federal healthcare fraud is punishable by a 10-year prison sentence per offense.
  • Healthcare fraud causing serious bodily injury is punishable by 20 years in prison.
  • Healthcare fraud causing death carries a possible life sentence.
• Fines
  • Lying in regard to Medicaid or Medicare claims can carry a fine up to $250,000 per offense (singular offender), or up to $500,000 per offense (organization).
  • Organizations that commit ongoing fraud can face fines in the millions or even billions of dollars.

Get Started With a Confidential Case Evaluation

If you are being investigated or have been charged with healthcare fraud, it is imperative that you speak with a Phoenix criminal defense attorney. Our founder, Jason Lamm, has more than 20 years of legal experience and has an exceptional track record in successfully defending his clients. He is prepared to conduct a thorough investigation in order to develop the most solid defense strategy on your behalf.

Call Jason Lamm Attorney at Law at (602) 663-9100 today.