Cincinnati Medicare Medicaid Fraud Lawyer: Defending Your Rights
Government-funded health programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, are designed to provide critical healthcare services to millions of Americans. However, these programs often get abused by individuals and companies looking to profit from fraudulent activities. Those convicted of Medicare Medicaid fraud face serious consequences, including hefty fines, jail time, and more.
If you have been charged with Medicare or Medicaid fraud, you need to take timely action to protect your rights. Building a strong defense to such charges can often get complex. We welcome you to our legal services at Ernst & Associates. We specialize in defense for white-collar crimes and can guide you on the best legal defense for your case. Early legal representation for serious charges is crucial to achieving a positive outcome. We encourage you to contact our Medicare/Medicaid fraud lawyer in Cincinnati as soon as possible to ensure the best possible defense.
Understanding Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
Medicare and Medicaid fraud refers to the illegal practice of obtaining high payments from federal health care programs. This practice typically involves some type of fraud or deceit to secure funds from a government-sponsored health care benefits program.
While Medicaid is for people of any qualified low income, Medicare is for people aged 65 or above or those who suffer from qualifying disabilities, regardless of income. Dual eligibles are people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
Fraud related to Medicare and Medicaid can be committed by healthcare facilities, medical professionals, patients, or others who pretend to be one of these parties. Common examples of fraud include claiming benefits for medical procedures that were not performed, unnecessary tests, or receiving the benefits when you are not eligible.
Incidents of fraud related to Medicare or Medicaid can result from deliberate misconduct, unintentional errors, or misunderstandings of the regulations and policies. Not all cases of fraud accusations are a result of intentional actions. However, Regardless of intent, accusations of Medicare or Medicaid fraud carry severe legal and financial repercussions. The accused must present evidence to build a strong defense to the charges.
Potential Consequences of Fraud Allegations
Depending on the specifics of the case, the potential consequences of Medicare and Medicaid fraud allegations can be severe. The accused can face civil and criminal penalties. The civil penalties include repayment of claims, hefty fines, and exclusion from the health care benefits program. The prosecutor may also seek penalties under the False Claims Act, which can result in three times the amount of the false claim.
Criminal charges can escalate the penalties, even leading to imprisonment in some cases. Other penalties for criminal convictions include probation, fines, and a permanent criminal record. Even if criminal charges are acquitted, reputational damage can be devastating. For some professionals, being accused of fraud could result in loss of revenue, business license, and credibility.
The Legal Process of Defending Against Medicare Medicaid Fraud Allegations
Defending against Medicare Medicare fraud charges is often challenging. However, you can simplify the process by working with a Cincinnati healthcare fraud attorney who can help you navigate the process. As a first step, your attorney will assess the allegations and evidence to understand what you are up against entirely. This will enable the attorney to understand the nature and scope of the charges entirely.
In some cases, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) pursues healthcare-related fraud, mainly through its Office of Inspector General (OIG). The Medicare Fraud Strike Force can also be engaged to work with the federal government to investigate and prosecute fraud schemes that defraud federal healthcare programs by submitting false Medicare claims.
Whether you are being charged with submitting false claims for reimbursement, misrepresentation of services, or billing for services not provided, you must be honest with your attorney. A full disclosure is essential to building a strong Medicaid fraud defense.
A skilled attorney can identify procedural errors by the health care providers or the defendant, challenge the admissibility of evidence, and provide guidance on strategic decisions such as whether to cooperate with investigators or contest the allegations in court.
Your attorney may also want to conduct an in-depth investigation of the case to gather more evidence. This may include an audit, a review of financial documents, and other types of in-depth analysis. If the internal review reveals inadvertent errors, these findings can be addressed proactively, showing a commitment to corrective action. The internal review may also uncover evidence that proves the allegations are false.
The opposing party may interview or question you about the case. Your attorney must oversee all communications to ensure you don’t share any unnecessary information that can undermine your case. To avoid self-incrimination, you should never admit to being at fault.
The defense strategy for health care fraud charges can include challenging the evidence presented by the prosecutor of any fraudulent activities and demonstrating that any billing errors or discrepancies were unintentional or the result of clerical mistakes rather than deliberate fraud.
Once you have solid defense ready, consider engaging in negotiations with the opposing party. A settlement can reduce financial penalties, avoid criminal charges, and bring the matter to a quicker resolution. However, if you don’t get a fair settlement, you can take the matter to court.
Your attorney can advocate for your rights in front of a judge or jury, highlight the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and provide evidence that supports your claim. The judge or jury will review all the evidence and arguments before rendering a verdict.
Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Lawyer In Cincinnati At Ernst & Associates
If you have been charged with healthcare fraud, we welcome you to consult with one of our experienced attorneys at Ernst & Associates. Our legal team specializes in defending against such charges for individuals, medical providers, and healthcare workers. We can help you understand your rights and guide you through legal actions. Our goal is to protect your reputation, minimize penalties, and work for the best possible outcome. With our proven track record of handling complex healthcare fraud cases, we can help you defend against such charges. To get started, call us to schedule a free consultation.
