As the nation’s population ages, incidents of health care fraud and other abuses of the health care system are expected to increase. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, as well as other government agencies, often investigate federal health care fraud.  A federal health care fraud offense is a serious criminal charge that carries serious penalties, such as imprisonment and large fines, and can have far-reaching impact on your personal and professional life.  If you are accused of federal health care fraud, defend yourself by hiring an experienced Maryland federal health care fraud lawyer that will provide you with sound legal representation and vigorously represent your case in federal court.

What is Federal Health Care Fraud?

Federal health care fraud defined under 18 U.S. Code Section 1347 occurs when a person knowingly executes or attempts to execute a scheme or artifice to defraud a health care benefit program such as Medicare or Medicaid or receives money or property from a health care benefit program by false or fraudulent pretenses or misrepresentations.  It should also be noted that a person might still be convicted under 18 U.S. Code Section 1347 even if they do not have actual knowledge or specific intent to commit a violation under this provision.  This means you may engage in a form of federal health care fraud and be unaware that such actions are a form of fraud against a health care benefit program.  There are several kinds of federal health care fraud schemes that may be prosecuted.  Some of these federal health care fraud schemes include:

• Billing for Services never rendered
• Billing for unnecessary tests and other medical procedures
• Overcharging or overbilling for services rendered
• Obtaining inexpensive medical equipment but billing for a more expensive model
• Multiple or Duplicate billing for the same services
• Overbilling Insurance companies and federal governments
• Accepting kickbacks

Working with a Maryland federal healthcare fraud attorney is crucial.

Consequences of Federal Health Care Fraud

A person convicted of a federal health care fraud offense is subject to significant fines or imprisonment or both.  Federal health care fraud carries a penalty of imprisonment not to exceed 10 years.  If, however, you are convicted of federal health care fraud that resulted in serious bodily injury to another, you may face up to 20 years in prison, a fine, or both.  Additionally, if as a result of committing a federal health care fraud that results in the death of another, a federal judge may impose any term of imprisonment depending on the facts and circumstances of your case, including life in prison and/or a fine or both.

Work With a Knowledgeable Maryland Federal Health Care Fraud Lawyer

If you are facing federal health care fraud charges or are under investigation for such charges, you should not hesitate to seek and obtain an experienced Maryland federal health care fraud attorney from our firm.  Federal health care fraud charges carry serious penalties and it is important to procure a knowledgeable lawyer from our firm who is dedicated and committed to providing you with a diligent defense to your case. Contact our team now.