Healthcare Fraud

West Palm Beach Healthcare Fraud Attorney

Florida is a major target for federal prosecutors charged with investigating healthcare fraud. The reason for this is not hard to understand. A significant share of the Florida population receives Medicare and Medicaid benefits. Indeed, according to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, roughly 1-in-5 Floridians are on Medicare. This represents millions of people–and in the eyes of prosecutors, millions of opportunities for fraud.

If you are a healthcare provider in the West Palm Beach area and find yourself the target of a fraud investigation, you need to take immediate action to assert legal rights. The West Palm Beach healthcare fraud attorneys at the Skier Law Firm can help. We represent physicians, nurses, hospitals, pharmacies, and other providers. Whether you are dealing with a civil investigation, or facing possible criminal charges, we offer dedicated, professional representation designed to defend your practice and livelihood.

The federal government takes healthcare fraud seriously. In fact, stories about prosecutions for healthcare fraud routinely make the national news. Healthcare fraud cases are seen as a win-win for the government, which can levy huge fines against providers while at the same time playing to the public’s perception that government waste and fraud are rampant.

If you are a doctor or other healthcare provider, you are at a high risk of being investigated for healthcare fraud. Contact an experienced West Palm Beach healthcare fraud attorney at the Skier Law Firm today.

Types of Healthcare Fraud

We handle all kinds of alleged healthcare fraud, including the following:

Federal law prohibits payment for referrals: For example, a doctor cannot pay money to another doctor to receive a patient referral.
Self-referrals: A doctor cannot refer a patient to a healthcare entity if they or a member of their immediate family has an ownership interest in it. There are some exceptions.
False claims: Bills to the federal government must be accurate. If inaccurate information appears on the bill, then the government can investigate you. Common errors include billing for services that were not provided or for patients who do not exist. A provider might also bill for services or equipment that are not medically necessary. This is a particular type of billing fraud. The healthcare provider uses the next highest code for a service when billing, as a way of increasing their reimbursement.
Prescription Fraud: The government has cracked down on pill mills, where doctors give out a large number of prescriptions for narcotics. Prescription fraud violates many statutes and is a criminal offense.
Home healthcare fraud: This industry, along with the hospice industry, frequently issue fraudulent certifications for care. The federal government closely monitors these industries for fraud.