Healthcare Fraud Lawyer New Jersey
Healthcare fraud is a serious offense. People who are offenders of this often go to federal prison for a long period of time and have extensive fines to pay. If you or someone you know is being accused of healthcare fraud, you need to reach out to a healthcare fraud lawyer in New Jersey from Lorraine Gauli-Rufo, Esq. & Associates right away to get representation for your case. If you are innocent, you need someone who is knowledgeable in federal laws and can help prove that you did not do anything wrong. If you are guilty, a good lawyer will know how to hopefully lessen your punishment.
What Is Healthcare Fraud?
Healthcare fraud occurs when someone attempts to get extra money from insurance or other means by charging a greater amount or unnecessary services in order to gain a greater profit. This is often considered a federal offense and can come with great penalties. Sometimes, a healthcare provider will order unnecessary treatments or tests for a patient just so they can charge more money at their appointments. Other times, they will flat-out steal money from insurance by charging for services that were not provided. Either way, this is a serious crime that will not be ignored.
Defenses Against the Fraud
There are several different defenses a healthcare fraud lawyer may decide to use in court. First, if the medical professional genuinely made an error and did not realize they were committing fraud, this could be a good defense. Another may be that the medical professional actually thought a patient needed the services they were providing. Or, the medical professional being accused of committing healthcare fraud may have merely had a miscommunication with other people in the office when billing insurance. No matter what, typically, ignorance of the situation is the best defense. This needs to be done in a proper manner, however, which means it is crucial to have someone who knows the ins and outs of federal laws regarding healthcare.
Contact Us Today
Do not hesitate to reach out to a healthcare fraud lawyer from Lorraine Gauli-Rufo, Esq. & Associates as soon as you realize you are getting accused of committing healthcare fraud. Even if it was a complete accident and you did not realize that you were committing an offense, you need to have someone on your side who can convey this. Anything you say could be held against you, and a lawyer will know what you can use in court which will be helpful. One of our lawyers can speak to the other parties on your behalf to try to protect your freedom. Reach out to us today to set up a consultation.
What Are Examples of Healthcare Fraud?
Healthcare fraud can come in several different forms, including performing unnecessary procedures to claim insurance, billing a more expensive procedure than what the patient actually received and accepting kickbacks for patient referrals. This type of fraud can also occur when patient deductibles or copays are waived and insurance companies are charged more than the actual bill.
What Is the Best Way to Prevent Healthcare Fraud?
One of the most effective ways to prevent healthcare fraud is to ensure all patient information is correct and the services provided are actually necessary for the patient. All healthcare providers should ensure that the identify of the patient is verified through photo identification, make sure that the CPT and diagnostic codes are correct and ensure that the billed services were actually performed.
Can I Lose My Medical License Due to Healthcare Fraud?
If you have been accused of healthcare fraud, the possibility of losing your medical license is a true cause for concern. Medical professionals are at a higher risk of losing their licenses if they have violated state or federal laws.
Will I Go to Prison for Healthcare Fraud?
Generally, medical professionals don’t receive any prison time for healthcare violations. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take your charges lightly. If found guilty, you may be subject to heavy fines and lawsuits, which could harm your medical practice. That’s why it’s important to discuss your case with a qualified healthcare fraud lawyer in New Jersey as soon as possible.
Should I Accept a Plea Deal?
If you’re accused of healthcare fraud, you may be offered a plea deal at some point. While it might be tempting to accept the plea deal to get everything over with, you should talk to a lawyer first. Accepting a plea deal might put your medical practice at risk of litigation.
Is It a Good Idea to Make a Settlement Offer to Resolve My Case?
At first, it might seem like a good idea to offer a settlement to the patient accusing you of healthcare fraud to get it over with quicker. However, this can backfire. Offering a settlement might make it seem like you are admitting a guilt or trying to bribe the patient.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me?
If you’ve been accused of healthcare fraud, it’s in your best interest to have a skilled defense lawyer on your side. A lawyer can review the circumstances of your case and come up with the best possible defense. He or she will protect your legal rights and improve your odds of a successful outcome.
