If you are under investigation for insurance fraud, the wisest course of action is to immediately consult a criminal defense attorney with experience dealing with these types of cases. Speaking to police, investigators or prosecutors is never advisable without first speaking to an attorney.
DeVore Criminal Defense Attorney in Minnesota is a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense lawyer who closely works with clients to provide the best outcome possible given their situation – especially when up against insurance fraud charges.
What Is Insurance Fraud?
Although healthcare insurance fraud cases mainly arise from claims submitted to insurance companies, some also come about when private insurance companies receive suspicious bills. While some medical professionals deliberately falsify patient records and test results to bill insurers for services they have not performed, honest documentation can look fraudulent when irregularities exist.
If a doctor or medical professional’s billing records raise red flags compared to regional or national averages, they may be subjected to a criminal investigation. If insurance fraud is suspected, the relevant professional licensing board will be notified, and independent research may be requested.
The following are all examples of insurance fraud:
- Billing insurance companies for services that were not rendered
- Avoid requesting tests that aren’t necessary
- Performing medical procedures that are not needed
- Prescribing medications that are not needed
Insurance Fraud Defense Lawyer
Awareness of an insurance fraud charge against you should immediately trigger contacting a qualified defense lawyer. Your lawyer can help defend you so that you won’t face the maximum penalties. In some cases, your insurance fraud lawyer will even be able to prevent charges or fines from being brought up at all.
The legal system takes any accusation of fraud very seriously and can result in punishments such as lengthy jail time or heavy fines. A conviction can also lead to a loss of trust from friends, family, and future employers, making it difficult to get insurance.
Often, honest billing mistakes can be misconstrued as insurance fraud.
People are often wrongfully accused of insurance fraud due to billing code errors or other similar honest mistakes. Nevertheless, for the government to charge you with insurance fraud, they must be able to prove that you knowingly submitted a falsified claim intending to deceive the insurance company out of money. If it cannot be proven that defrauding an insurance company was your intention, then you are not guilty even if there were mistakes or the claim itself was false.
The Consequences You Could Face If Convicted of Insurance Fraud
Having a professional licensed defense lawyer by your side is crucial if you are accused of insurance fraud. A conviction for insurance fraud can result in the following severe penalties:
- Jail or prison time
- Parole or probation
- Steep fines and court costs
- Restitution that could include the reimbursement of all payments collected from insurance companies
- Losing the ability to provide Medicare or Medicaid in the future
Are You a Suspect of Insurance Fraud?
If you are a doctor suspected of insurance fraud, the investigation may start long before charges are filed. You may have had search warrants at your office or home. Your bank accounts could have been investigated. And your employees might have been questioned. Since these investigations can take a while, charges might not be formally filed for some time. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our law firm. The sooner we get involved, the more we may be able to help you protect your livelihood, your finances, and your freedom.
Contact DeVore Criminal Defense Attorney for Insurance Fraud Defense
To Contact DeVore Criminal Defense Attorney, please call us at 651-435-6500, or you can visit our office at 724 Bielenberg Drive, Suite 110, Woodbury, MN 55125.
Posted 16th December 2022 by DeVore Law Office