Health Care Fraud
The failure to file a claim with a health care provider correctly could result in a criminal charge of fraud, and a criminal conviction if the prosecution can prove that you committed the error with intent to benefit economically. At the offices of the All Criminal Defense Law Group, P.A., our HIllsborough County criminal defense attorneys know how much is on the line when you are facing charges of health care fraud, and can assist you in building your defense.
What Is Health Care Fraud?
Health care fraud is a criminal act that can be committed by either a consumer or a provider, and occurs when a claim or information is submitted that knowingly contains false or misleading information, with the direct intent of affecting the payable amount of health care benefits. For example, a health care provider may bill an insurance company for services that were never performed, or a health care consumer (patient) may file a claim for medical services or medications that were not actually received. But acts of fraud are not limited to this; the Legal Information Institute of Cornell University Law School lists a number of examples of health care fraud, including:
- Altering dates or descriptions of services;
- Changing medical records;
- Using unlicensed staff members;
- Accepting kickbacks for member referrals;
- Providing false information when seeking medical services;
- Selling prescription drugs; and
- Loaning or using another person’s insurance card.
Defrauding Medicaid or Medicare also constitute acts of health care fraud. Committing an act of fraud, as it pertains to health care, is against the law, and is harshly penalized in Florida.
What Happens If You Are Convicted of Health Care Fraud in Florida
If you are convicted of health care fraud, you will face the criminal penalties associated with the crime. In Florida, this could mean jail time, large fines, court-ordered community service or restitution, probation, or even the loss of a professional license (particularly when the convicted person is a health care specialist, such as a doctor). The amount of time that the defendant may have to serve, or the amount of fine that they may have to pay, following a conviction depends upon the amount of money that was involved and the extent of other crimes associated. For example, health care fraud could include both insurance fraud and a drug crime, depending upon the details of the case.
How Our Experienced Florida Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
At the law offices of the All Criminal Defense Law Group, P.A. we understand the serious consequences that you are facing, and we hope you do too. As such, we urge you to contact our law offices as soon as you are charged with the crime of health care fraud – the earlier you start working with an attorney and building your defense, the better chances you have of securing the best outcome as possible for your case.
We have been representing those charged with crimes for two decades, and know what we are up against when it comes to aggressive prosecutors and a less-than-perfect court system. For legal representation you can count on, contact our Hillsborough County criminal defense attorney for a free consultation today.
