Miami Healthcare Fraud Attorney
A Healthcare Fraud Attorney Protecting Your Rights in Florida
The Law Office of Nayib Hassan, P.A., has the knowledge and skill to tackle the toughest of fraud-related cases, and that includes any healthcare fraud charges you may face. As a trusted attorney specializing in healthcare fraud defense, Nayib Hassan is dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of individuals and healthcare providers facing healthcare fraud charges in both federal and state courts.
Healthcare fraud is a complex and serious offense that involves fraudulent activities within the healthcare industry, such as billing for unnecessary services, falsifying medical records, or engaging in kickback schemes. Whether you are a healthcare professional, a provider, or an individual accused of healthcare fraud, having a skilled attorney like Nayib Hassan by your side is crucial.
With his extensive knowledge of federal and state laws, as well as his experience in handling healthcare fraud cases, Nayib Hassan can provide you with a strong defense strategy tailored to your specific situation. He understands the intricate legal nuances and investigative processes involved in healthcare fraud cases, and he will diligently work to challenge the evidence, protect your rights, and strive for the best possible outcome.
Don’t face healthcare fraud charges alone – contact Nayib Hassan today to benefit from his expertise and unwavering commitment to defending your interests at both the federal and state levels.
A healthcare fraud charge can have dire repercussions on your life. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could face incarceration, fines, loss of license or certifications, and other damages. If you are arrested for healthcare fraud in Florida, do not wait until it’s too late — seek competent legal help now. An experienced federal crime attorney can protect your reputation, business, and freedom.
Charges for Healthcare Fraud
To convict a person of healthcare fraud, the prosecution must show that there was a knowing submission of a false claim or representation to receive a federal payment not otherwise entitled to. Some of the most common types of healthcare and Medicare fraud include:
- Overbilling — Billing for unnecessary services, over-diagnosing, and billing for services not rendered, are all examples of fraudulent overbilling.
- Upcoding — Medical procedures and visits performed by doctors all have what is called Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes established by The American Medical Association (AMA). When a healthcare provider or physician sends a bill to a payer, they use CPT codes to describe the procedures performed. Upcoding is the fraudulent practice of submitting codes for more costly procedures than were actually performed.
- False invoices — Another type of healthcare fraud occurs when false or duplicate invoices are submitted. A business may submit the same invoice multiple times, generate an entirely fake invoice, or inflate a real invoice.
- Double billing — Performing a procedure once but charging a patient multiple times, is known as double billing.
Some of the professions where healthcare fraud typically occurs include the following:
- Acupuncturist
- Audiologist
- Certified home health and nurse’s aide
- Chiropractor
- Dentist and dental assistant
- Dietician
- EMT/paramedic
- Nurse
- Ocularist
- Optician and optometrist
- Osteopath
- Pharmacist
- Physician
- Podiatrist
- Psychologist
- Psychologist
- Radiologic technologist
- Researcher
- Social Worker
- Therapists – marriage, massage, occupational
- X-Ray technician
Record and bookkeeping mistakes happen. However, to be charged with healthcare fraud, you must knowingly and willfully execute or attempt to execute a plan to defraud a healthcare benefit program. Other types of behavior which may be construed as fraudulent include inducing or paying others for referrals, wrongly referring patients, billing for skipped appointments, billing for services more complex than patient needs, and billing for services not provided.
Misdemeanor Crimes
Misdemeanor crimes are generally considered some of the least severe crimes that a person can be charged with, however, that doesn’t mean that you should take the charges any less seriously. The penalties that you can potentially face include jail time, fines, community service, and a permanent criminal record that you will carry with you the rest of your life.
Examples of misdemeanor crimes include but are not limited to :
- Assault (simple)
- Disorderly conduct
- Prostitution and/or solicitation
- Indecent exposure
- DUI or DWI (first, second, and third offenses are misdemeanors in most cases)
- Vandalism
- Trespassing
- Petty theft/shoplifting
If you are convicted of a misdemeanor crime, your life will likely change substantially. Not only do you run the risk of being sentenced to jail, your criminal record will make it difficult for you to rent a home, obtain a home or auto loan, get a credit card, and even obtain a professional license. The most important thing you can do after being charged with a misdemeanor is to secure quality legal representation as quickly as possible.
What are the penalties for healthcare fraud in Florida?
Healthcare fraud in Florida is a serious offense that carries significant penalties. The penalties for healthcare fraud can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the amount of financial loss involved. In Florida, healthcare fraud is prosecuted under both state and federal laws.
Under federal law, healthcare fraud is governed by various statutes, including 18 U.S.C. § 1347. Convictions for healthcare fraud at the federal level can result in substantial fines and imprisonment. Individuals convicted of healthcare fraud may face imprisonment of up to 10 years or more, depending on the severity of the offense and the amount of money involved.
In addition to federal penalties, Florida has its own state laws that address healthcare fraud. Florida Statutes Section 817.234 outlines the penalties for healthcare fraud committed in the state. Violators can face imprisonment, fines, and restitution. The severity of the penalties depends on factors such as the value of the fraudulent claims, the number of offenses, and the extent of the harm caused.
It’s important to note that healthcare fraud can encompass a wide range of fraudulent activities, including billing for services not rendered, falsifying medical records, kickbacks, and identity theft. Prosecutors aggressively pursue healthcare fraud cases due to the significant financial impact on public and private healthcare systems.
If you are facing healthcare fraud charges in Florida, it is crucial to consult with an experienced healthcare fraud defense attorney who can provide you with proper legal guidance. They can assess the specifics of your case, protect your rights, and develop a strong defense strategy tailored to your situation.
Can healthcare providers face criminal charges for fraud in Florida?
Yes, healthcare providers in Florida can face criminal charges for fraud. Healthcare fraud is a serious offense that involves intentionally deceiving or defrauding healthcare programs, insurers, or patients for personal gain. In Florida, healthcare providers who engage in fraudulent activities can be prosecuted under both state and federal laws.
Under federal law, healthcare fraud is a criminal offense and is governed by various statutes, including 18 U.S.C. § 1347. Violations can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment and substantial fines. The penalties depend on the specific circumstances of the fraud, such as the amount of money involved and the harm caused to patients or healthcare programs.
In addition to federal laws, Florida has its own state laws that address healthcare fraud. Healthcare providers who commit fraud in the state can face criminal charges under Florida Statutes Section 817.234. The penalties for healthcare fraud in Florida include imprisonment, fines, and restitution. The severity of the penalties depends on factors such as the value of the fraudulent claims, the number of offenses, and the extent of the harm caused.
It’s important to note that healthcare fraud can take various forms, such as billing for services not rendered, overbilling, submitting false claims, kickbacks, and prescription fraud. The prosecution of healthcare providers for fraud is taken seriously to protect patients and the integrity of the healthcare system.
If you are a healthcare provider facing allegations of fraud in Florida, it is crucial to seek legal representation from an experienced healthcare fraud defense attorney. They can provide you with expert guidance, protect your rights, and develop a strong defense strategy to navigate the complexities of healthcare fraud charges effectively.
When to Contact a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Nothing is more important than picking up the phone and contacting a criminal defense attorney after being accused of or arrested on a criminal charge. Even if you haven’t been arrested yet and the police are simply investigating their suspicions, it is in your best interest to pursue legal counsel as soon as you are able to.
At the Law Office of Nayib Hassan, we know that bargaining for lesser charges is often not in the best interest of the client. Many prosecutors will put the pressure on in order to secure a guilty plea, often leading the accused into believing that there’s no way they will be found innocent in a court of law. However, our clients often stand the best chance of being proven innocent or having the charges dropped if we proceed with a trial.
We’ll investigate the evidence available in your case and will exhaust every possible resource in order to put together a strong, compelling defense that meets the prosecution at every turn. We will fight zealously for your rights under the law, regardless of the crime you have been charged with.
Don’t wait to get legal help if you or someone you love have been arrested for a crime or have been accused of committing a crime. Contact Law Office of Nayib Hassan today for a consultation to discuss the details of your case and to determine what the next best step should be.
