Medicaid/Medicaid Fraud

Every year, frauds involving Medicaid and Medicare benefits cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars.  Accordingly, frauds committed by either recipients or providers of either Medicaid or Medicare are taken very seriously and are almost always extremely energetically prosecuted.  The number of prosecutions has increased as the general economic condition of the country has gotten worse and I do not see this pattern changing any time in the foreseeable future.   

The first thing to do if you suspect that a Medicaid or Medicare case is going to be brought against you is to consult with an experienced criminal lawyer.  When the government or other law enforcement officials suspect either a professional health service provider or a recipient of Medicaid or Medicare benefits they immediately investigate to determine if there has been any violation of law. 

If you are a Medicaid or Medicare services provider, you may be investigated for the following fraudulent actions:  billing for more time than actually expended; billing for services that were not provided; billing for shadow visits; duplicate billing; performing unnecessary procedures, x-rays or blood tests; requiring recipients to return to the office for more visits than necessary; upcoding by billing for more expensive procedures than were performed; utilizing non-licensed persons to provide services that only a licensed professional should render; or accepting payment from another provider by sharing in the reimbursement paid by the program as a result of a referral to that provider.

If you are a recipient of benefits, you may be guilty of Medicaid fraud for the following:  false statements on an application to gain benefits being ineligible; forging or altering a prescription or fiscal order; intentionally receiving duplicative, excessive, contraindicated or conflicting health care services or supplies;  lending your Medicaid card to another person;  re-selling items provided by the Medicaid program;  or using multiple Medicaid cards.

If you receive a letter from the local Human Resources Administration or other agency responsible for administering benefits or payments to providers you should be on notice that there is an investigation going on.  Each jurisdiction has similar agencies charged with the same responsibilities.  If the letter asks you to come to their office for an "interview" and to bring along certain documentation, you must immediately obtain advice from a competent criminal lawyer before you meet with any investigators.  From this point your lawyer will handle all contacts with investigators or other law enforcement personnel.  If you either consent to be interviewed or voluntarily submit requested documentation you may help the investigators build an airtight case against you. 

In addition to protecting your legal rights, an attorney experienced in defending Medicaid or Medicare fraud cases can often save you more money than his legal fees by negotiating with the government and try to prevent you from being arrested and prosecuted.

Medicaid and Medicare fraud  are serious felonies that are punishable by prison sentences.  A felony conviction will haunt you for the rest of your life and will almost always result in a deportation for non-citizens. 

I have helped many people with Medicaid or Medicare problems and have frequently been successful in preventing the filing of  criminal charges.  If you or a loved one is contacted by investigators, contact a competent lawyer immediately. 

The law office of Stephan J. Siegel is committed to providing every client with the best defense possible and advising each client as to the best option based upon the particular facts and circumstances of the case.

To schedule an in-office consultation, contact us by e-mail or call the office at 718-575-3900, 24/7.  Stephan J. Siegel will personally meet with you and advise you as to your best options.  Most appointments are during normal business hours but special arrangements can be made for evenings and weekends if necessary.  Credit cards are accepted and translation is available for French, German, Hebrew and Polish speakers.