Miami Healthcare Fraud Lawyer

Effectively Handling Healthcare & Medicaid Fraud Cases in Florida 

Navigating the complex landscape of healthcare law requires a skilled and experienced legal advocate. At Jeffrey S. Weiner, P.A., we are dedicated to providing top-tier legal representation for individuals facing healthcare fraud charges in Miami and throughout Florida. With a proven track record of success in defending clients against white-collar crimes, our team is prepared to protect your rights and interests when needed.

Call Jeffrey S. Weiner, P.A., today at (305) 985-6640 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our healthcare fraud attorney in Miami! 

What is Healthcare Fraud?

Healthcare fraud is the intentional and deceptive act of obtaining improper financial gain from the healthcare system. This can encompass various activities, such as submitting false claims to insurance companies, Medicare, or Medicaid, providing unnecessary medical services or equipment, referral kickbacks, and altering medical records for fraudulent billing purposes. Healthcare fraud affects the financial stability of the healthcare system and undermines the trust between patients, providers, and insurers.

Common Forms of Healthcare Fraud

Our experienced Miami healthcare fraud lawyers are well-versed in various forms of healthcare fraud, including:

• Billing Fraud: This involves submitting false claims or inflating bills for medical services that were never provided by a healthcare professional or facility.
• Prescription Fraud: Illegally obtaining, distributing, or selling prescription medications, often through forged prescriptions or stolen physician identities.
• Medicare/Medicaid Fraud: Fraudulently billing Medicare or Medicaid for services that were unnecessary or never provided or using patient information to make false claims.
• Kickbacks and Self-Referrals: Accepting or offering incentives, such as money or gifts, in exchange for patient referrals or business arrangements, which can compromise the integrity of medical decisions.
• Upcoding/Unbundling: Assigning incorrect codes or billing separately for services that should be billed as a single package, leading to higher reimbursements than deserved.
• Identity Theft: Stealing patients' personal information to make false claims, order unnecessary medical equipment, or obtain prescription drugs.

We have successfully represented many physicians in Medicare and other healthcare fraud cases in federal court. Some were physicians allegedly part of conspiracies to rip off the federal government by making false diagnoses and prescribing treatment, home health care, home visits, physical therapy, medical devices, and medication when not medically necessary, all to make a profit. Often, these physicians did not properly plan financially for their retirements and found themselves in need of money. It was easy for them to be employed by unscrupulous clinic operators or in their practices, knowing that word would quickly get around that they were available for unnecessary prescriptions, home health care, and other such services.

Sometimes, physicians, dentists, and veterinarians from foreign countries who move to the United States do not want to take the time and effort to become properly licensed, so they practice without a license – often out of their homes – and in less than ideal conditions for their patients. State courts usually charge these types of crimes – always felonies.

We have represented physicians and dentists who have allegedly molested their patients, sometimes with the knowledge or suspicion of misconduct by fellow physicians or nurses who have not reported it. Some physicians have been suspected of practicing medicine while intoxicated or high on drugs.

What are the Penalties for Healthcare Fraud in Florida?

The penalties for healthcare fraud convictions in Florida can be severe, ranging from substantial fines to lengthy prison sentences. Individuals convicted of healthcare fraud may also face restitution orders requiring them to repay the defrauded funds. In addition to legal consequences, a healthcare fraud conviction can irreparably damage one's professional reputation and result in the loss of medical licenses or exclusion from government healthcare programs.

Defenses Against Healthcare Fraud Charges

A strong defense against healthcare fraud charges requires a comprehensive understanding of healthcare laws and regulations. Our skilled attorneys employ a variety of strategies to protect our client's rights and interests:

• Lack of Intent: Healthcare fraud charges often require proving fraudulent intent. We may argue that the accused lacked the intention to deceive or defraud, which is a crucial element of the offense.
• Mistaken Billing: In some cases, billing errors or administrative mistakes can lead to unfounded healthcare fraud accusations. We work diligently to uncover evidence that supports our client's innocence.
• Insufficient Evidence: Prosecutors must present solid evidence to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. We scrutinize the evidence, identifying weaknesses and inconsistencies that could lead to a favorable outcome.
• Procedural Violations: If law enforcement or regulatory agencies violated the accused's rights during investigations or arrests, we can challenge the evidence obtained through these violations.
• Whistleblower Retaliation: Healthcare fraud allegations arise from whistleblower retaliation in some situations. We work to expose ulterior motives that may have contributed to the accusations.

It is essential that physicians, like everyone, understand that attempting to prove their innocence to investigators or law enforcement officers without consulting with competent federal criminal defense counsel is almost always a mistake – sometimes so serious that their license to practice medicine is placed in greater jeopardy than if they simply stated, "Under the circumstances, I respectfully decline to make a statement until I consult with counsel."

Contrary to popular belief, such action will not make you appear "guilty." Rather, it will let the investigators and law enforcement officers know that you are intelligent, that you care about your license and profession, and that you are smart enough to insist upon counsel to guide you through the horrible experience of being accused of something that could irreparably damage your reputation and result in your being prevented from practicing your learned profession or, worse, place you at risk of losing your freedom by being convicted of a crime, almost always a felony – the most serious category of crimes.

Contact Our Miami Healthcare Fraud Attorney Today

When facing healthcare fraud charges in Miami, having a dedicated legal team with extensive experience in white-collar defense is crucial. At Jeffrey S. Weiner, P.A., our Miami healthcare fraud lawyers are committed to providing strategic, personalized representation to protect your rights, freedom, and future. We understand the complexities of healthcare fraud cases and are here to guide you through every step of the legal process.

Contact Jeffrey S. Weiner, P.A., today to schedule a consultation with our healthcare fraud lawyer in Miami!