Consequences of Federal Healthcare Fraud (U.S. Code 18 Section 1347)
Healthcare fraud is a common type of fraud crime that can be charged at both the state and federal level. While a healthcare fraud conviction at the state level can result in prison time and fines, the penalties of a federal healthcare fraud conviction are considerably harsher.
If you or a loved one is charged with healthcare fraud at the federal level, it is important to have an experienced Wallin & Klarich attorney to fight for your freedom.
What is Healthcare Fraud? (U.S. Code 18 Section 1347)
Under United States Code 18 Section 1347, it is unlawful to knowingly and willfully execute or attempt to execute a scheme to defraud or obtain by means of false pretenses any money or property from any federal healthcare benefit program such as Medicare and Medicaid.
Some of the most common examples of federal healthcare fraud include:
- Over-billing for healthcare services (including double-billing);
- Filing claims for healthcare services that were not provided;
- Billing for services not covered by an insurer’s policy;
- Faking a medical condition to receive medications in order to sell those medications; and
- Using someone else’s insurance information to receive healthcare services.
Medical service providers such as doctors, nurse practitioners and therapists can also face federal healthcare fraud charges. Federal fraud crimes committed by these trusted medical service providers include overcharging patients for services and performing unnecessary medical procedures in order to charge patients for their services.
What are the Penalties of a Federal Healthcare Fraud Conviction?
Federal healthcare fraud is a felony. Making a false claim or false statement in relation to a Medicaid or Medicare claim can result in up to five years in federal prison. A federal healthcare fraud conviction is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine ($500,000 for an organization). If the violation results in serious bodily injury, the prison sentence can double to 20 years. If death occurs as result of committing health care fraud, a conviction can result in life in prison.
In addition to prison time, fines and restitution, you could lose your professional medical license if you are convicted of federal healthcare fraud.
Call the Federal Fraud Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich Today
If you or a loved one is facing a federal healthcare fraud charge, it is critical that you speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. At Wallin & Klarich, our attorneys have over 40 years of experience successfully defending our clients facing charges of healthcare fraud and other forms of federal fraud. Our skilled and knowledgeable federal attorneys know the best defenses to raise in order to get you the best possible outcome in your case.
With offices in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Tustin, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich Southern California criminal defense attorney near you no matter where you work or live.
Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will get through this together.
