Tampa Healthcare Fraud Lawyer
Healthcare fraud is the intentional act of obtaining unlawful financial gain from the healthcare system. If you have been charged with any type of healthcare fraud, from Medicare fraud to identity theft, you need to understand the seriousness of your situation; prosecutors do not go easy on any defendant accused of fraud, regardless of their reputation or high standing in the community as a healthcare provider. A conviction for healthcare fraud can result in heavy fines, loss of professional licensing, and even lengthy prison sentences. At The Matassini Law Firm, P.A., our Tampa healthcare fraud defense lawyer can help you navigate the complex, high-stakes landscape of healthcare fraud accusations with the ultimate goal of preserving your rights and achieving the best possible resolution in your case.
Examples of Healthcare Fraud
Virtually anyone can be accused of healthcare fraud, from individual healthcare providers such as doctors, to hospitals, patients, large medical corporations, nursing homes, insurance companies, and individuals engaged in identity theft. The size and scope of healthcare fraud is immense. Taxpayers are losing well over $100 billion annually in Medicare and Medicaid fraud alone. One study found that up to 10 percent of all expenditures is equated to fraud. Federal prosecutors are eager to bring down heavy penalties on those charged with any type of healthcare fraud; for example, every violation of the Anti Kickback Statute can incur a fine of up to $50,000 and up to five years in prison. A few common types of healthcare fraud that we regularly handle include:
- Medicare and Medicaid Fraud—Medicare/medicaid fraud occurs when a healthcare provider bills Medicare or Medicaid for services that were either not provided at all, or were unnecessary for the patient.
- Kickbacks and Self-Referrals—A kickback is accepting money or gifts, such as paid vacations or vehicles, in exchange for patient referrals.
- Upcoding and Unbundling—This either involves assigning incorrect billing codes for medical services in order to achieve a higher payment for services (services that were not rendered), or billing separately for services that should have been part of a single package.
- Prescription Fraud—An individual commits prescription fraud if they are involved in unlawfully distributing, selling, or obtaining prescription medications. One common method of obtaining such prescriptions includes identity theft of physicians. In many cases of healthcare fraud, the offender actually commits multiple offenses in the same act, and can be charged separately for each.
- Identity Theft—Unlawfully obtaining a patient’s personal information with the intent to order unnecessary medical equipment, prescription drugs, or other forms of monetary gains
Call a Tampa Healthcare Fraud Lawyer Today
Healthcare fraud is prosecuted as a serious crime. Convicted individuals not only face prison time, but fines well into the six digits, the loss of any relevant professional licenses, and a felony record for life. As such, being arrested for or investigated for healthcare fraud requires immediate legal intervention. We strongly encourage you to seek out an experienced criminal defense lawyer at once. To discuss your case with a Tampa healthcare fraud lawyer at The Matassini Law Firm, P.A., call us today at 813-217-5715 to schedule a free consultation.
