In the United States, people aged 65 and above, and those younger with certain disabilities, rely on Medicare. The federal government oversees the system, ensuring that the taxpayers’ money does not go to waste. Millions of dollars, however, are lost every year because of Medicare fraud. Due to this, the federal government is vigilant in prosecuting those who are accused of Medicare fraud. Due to the rising population of seniors in Louisiana and beyond, it is helpful to learn more about Medicare fraud and who can be charged with this federal crime.
With regards to the question of who can be charged with Medicare fraud, the answer is simple – anyone. Often, we hear Medicare fraud cases involving healthcare providers who are accused of submitting false claims or billing for a procedure that did not take place. Such cases often involve a huge amount of money. Non-healthcare providers can also be charged with Medicare fraud if they were involved with an organization that defrauded the system.
If a person is charged with federal health care fraud, they need to understand that these charges can bring serious consequences including revocation of a license if they are a healthcare provider, incarceration, fines and other penalties. Once a person has been arrested on Medicare fraud, the suspect can choose not to speak with the arresting officers until legal counsel arrives. By doing so, the person can avoid giving away potential information that can be used as evidence against them.
Due to the severity of the offense, it is important to at least consider speaking with a legal counsel in order to build a strong criminal defense. Failure to do so can increase the chances of getting convicted. A legal professional who is adept in handling federal health care fraud cases may be able to make a huge difference with regard to federal charges.
Source: Cms.gov, “Medicare fraud & abuse,” accessed on Sep. 14, 2014
