Healthcare fraud is a type of white-collar crime that can have severe penalties and could be prosecuted at the state or federal level. If you have been charged with healthcare fraud, you need an advocate on your side who can explain the charges you’re facing and help you to build your defense. To learn more, call The Law Office of Paul R. Moraski directly.
What Is Healthcare Fraud?
When a person makes a claim for a medical service that is fraudulent, they are committing healthcare fraud. A claim for services that is fraudulent can result in the healthcare insurance provider paying out the claim, resulting in higher costs for the insurer—which often get passed on to other patients. Healthcare fraud can be investigated by state, federal, and local agencies, and could result in prison time, large fines, orders of restitution, and more if a person is convicted.
Examples of Healthcare Fraud Crimes
Healthcare fraud occurs when a person submits a fraudulent claim for medical services or products. This might involve:
- Submitting multiple claims for the same service
- Billing for a service or product that the patient never received
- Submitting multiple bills for the same service
- Billing for a service that costs more than the service the patient actually received
Sometimes, healthcare fraud can also involve identity fraud, such as:
- Using another person’s insurance information to submit a claim
- Impersonating a healthcare professional and billing for health services without the appropriate licensing
Finally, acts like forging prescriptions and visiting multiple different doctors to get the same prescriptions are also acts of healthcare fraud.
Penalties for Healthcare Fraud
As noted above, those who are accused of healthcare fraud may be prosecuted under federal law, specifically 18 USC Chapter 63, Section 1347. A conviction under this statute could result in imprisonment of up to ten years, a fine, or both fine or imprisonment. In addition to federal charges, a defendant could also face state charges. State penalties can vary. For example, Medicare fraud in Massachusetts could result in a period of incarceration of up to five years.
Why You Should Work with an Attorney
Being charged with healthcare fraud is very serious and can be damaging to your reputation, even if you are not ultimately convicted and are able to evade a period of incarceration. If you are convicted, you could have any professional licenses revoked, may be required to pay back the sum that you received fraudulently, could go to prison for 10 years (or more if the fraud resulted in bodily harm to anyone), and could face large fines and court fees. By working with an attorney, you improve your chances of a case outcome in your favor and ensure that you have the representation to which you’re entitled.
Call The Law Office of Paul R. Moraski Today
Facing criminal charges is scary. To get the legal help you need and deserve, call a Massachusetts criminal defense attorney with experience in white-collar criminal cases. Reach out today online or by phone at (978) 397-0011.