Texas Healthcare Fraud Attorney

Law Firm Defending Clients Facing Federal Medicaid or Medicare Fraud Charges in Texas

There are multiple types of actions that could lead to accusations of fraud or other white collar crimes. Claims that a person has committed healthcare fraud can be especially serious, since these situations can result in federal charges. Medical providers or others who have been accused of healthcare fraud will need to understand the specific charges against them, the potential penalties they may face, and the defense strategies that may be available.

When responding to federal charges, it is crucial for a person to work with an attorney who has experience defending clients against fraud or other related offenses. The team at The Crowder Law Firm, P.C. has decades of experience representing clients charged with federal crimes. We have a strong knowledge of the laws that apply to cases involving healthcare fraud, the methods used by federal prosecutors, and the options for defending against these types of charges. We work to help our clients avoid convictions or determine how they can minimize the potential penalties that may apply to them. We fight to protect our clients' rights at all times and ensure that they can resolve these matters successfully.

Types of Federal Healthcare Fraud Offenses in Texas

Healthcare fraud typically involves the submission of bills or claims or the receipt of payments for medical services that were not actually provided. However, it may involve a variety of other activities in which the payment or delivery of medical services or related healthcare benefits were obtained fraudulently. Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1347) states that anyone who defrauds a healthcare benefit program or fraudulently obtains money or property from a healthcare benefit program may be charged with healthcare fraud. If a person is convicted on these charges, they may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

There are multiple different forms of healthcare fraud that can result in federal charges, including:

• Medicare or Medicaid fraud - Medical providers may be accused of submitting false claims to Medicare, Medicaid, or other government healthcare programs with the intent of obtaining money for services that were not actually performed.
• Provider billing fraud - Medical practices may be accused of billing insurance providers for services incorrectly in order to obtain more payments for services. These practices may include double billing, or submitting multiple claims for the same services, as well as upcoding, or billing providers for more expensive services than those that were provided to patients. In some cases, claims may be submitted for services that were never provided to patients, or unnecessary procedures or tests may be performed in order to receive additional payments.
• Theft of Medicare/Medicaid benefits - Accusations of healthcare fraud may involve claims that a person obtained treatment by using someone else's identifying information, allowing them to receive government benefits illegally. A person may also be accused of impersonating a doctor or other medical professional and billing Medicare or Medicaid for services without having a valid medical license.
• Identity theft - Some medical providers or other parties may be accused of stealing or selling people's personal information. This may be done through false advertising schemes or communication sent through email or text messages with the intent of obtaining insurance account numbers or other information that could be used to submit false claims.
• Prescription fraud - Accusations of healthcare fraud may accompany drug charges related to prescription opioids or other controlled substances. Prescription forgery, issuing prescriptions that are not medically necessary, or other forms of drug diversion may result in fraud charges if they involve payments from Medicare, Medicaid, or private health insurance providers.

Contact Our Texas Federal Healthcare Fraud Defense Attorney

Individuals convicted of healthcare fraud can face harsh penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines. If you have been charged with federal healthcare fraud in Texas, it is important to seek experienced legal representation right away from a criminal defense attorney who understands how to handle these types of cases. At The Crowder Law Firm, P.C., we can ensure that your rights will be protected, and we will fight on your behalf to make sure you can achieve a positive outcome to your case. Contact us at 214-544-0061 to discuss your case in a free consultation.