Tulsa Healthcare Fraud Defense Lawyer
Contents
- 1 Tulsa Healthcare Fraud Defense Lawyer: Protecting Your Rights
- 2 The Government’s Tactics
- 3 Building an Aggressive Defense
- 4 Common Healthcare Fraud Allegations
- 5 The Consequences
- 6 Why Choose Spodek Law Group?
- 7 The First Steps
- 8 A Note on COVID-19 Fraud
- 9 Tulsa Healthcare Fraud Defense FAQ
- 10 What agencies investigate healthcare fraud in Tulsa?
- 11 What are some examples of healthcare fraud?
- 12 What penalties could I face if convicted?
- 13 How does Spodek Law Group build a defense strategy?
- 14 What if I made an honest mistake on a billing code?
- 15 Do you offer free consultations?
- 16 Time is of the Essence
- 17 Your Future Depends on It
Tulsa Healthcare Fraud Defense Lawyer: Protecting Your Rights
The Government’s Tactics
The federal government has entire task forces dedicated to healthcare fraud investigations. Agencies like the DEA, FBI, and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are constantly on the lookout for any billing irregularities or perceived misconduct. Their tactics are aggressive:
- Unannounced raids and searches
- Seizing records and computers
- Interviewing employees and patients
- Issuing subpoenas for documents and testimony
They want to catch you off guard and get you to make incriminating statements. But you don’t have to go through this alone.
Building an Aggressive Defense
At Spodek Law Group, we take a hands-on, detail-oriented approach from day one. We leave no stone unturned in crafting a strategic defense tailored to your unique situation. Our process includes:
- Reviewing the Evidence: We comb through every shred of evidence – medical records, billing documents, witness statements. We look for any holes or inconsistencies that could undermine the prosecution’s case.
- Developing Defenses: Based on the facts, we develop affirmative defenses like lack of intent, good faith belief, or widespread industry practices. We scrutinize whether the allegations, even if true, would constitute fraud.
- Negotiating: If the evidence appears damning, we negotiate with prosecutors to potentially get charges reduced or dismissed through pre-trial diversion or non-prosecution agreements.
- Trial Preparation: If it goes to trial, you can count on our heavyweight litigators to fight tooth and nail. We frequently call on medical experts to counter the prosecution’s arguments and create reasonable doubt.
Having Spodek Law Group in your corner can make all the difference in a healthcare fraud case. We know how to navigate this legal minefield and use every tool to protect your future.
Common Healthcare Fraud Allegations
Healthcare fraud covers a wide range of conduct, but some of the most common allegations we see include:
- Billing for services not rendered
- Upcoding or unbundling claims
- Performing medically unnecessary services
- Falsifying patient records or certifications
- Kickbacks for referrals
- Controlled substance violations
No matter what you’re accused of, we have experience defending against it. We understand the nuances of healthcare laws and regulations, which is crucial in these highly technical cases.
The Consequences
Make no mistake, the stakes are high when you’re accused of healthcare fraud. You could be facing:
- Substantial fines and restitution
- Program exclusion from Medicare/Medicaid
- Loss of professional licenses
- Criminal charges and prison time
Not to mention the reputational damage that can cripple a medical practice. That’s why you need attorneys who will explore every possible avenue to avoid charges or mitigate penalties.
Why Choose Spodek Law Group?
I get it, you have options when it comes to legal representation. But here’s why Spodek Law Group should be your first choice:
- Proven Track Record: We’ve handled hundreds of healthcare fraud cases at all stages – from investigation to trial. Our attorneys literally wrote the book on healthcare fraud defense.
- Comprehensive Strategy: We dig deep into the facts and are always prepared to counter any arguments. Our firm has earned a reputation for excellence.
- Personal Attention: You’ll receive hands-on attention and open communication every step of the way. We take a team approach, holding regular meetings on your case.
- Aggressive Litigation: Some firms try to push clients into pleading guilty to make their lives easier. Not us. We are fierce litigators always prepared to fight for an acquittal if that’s what it takes.
When you hire us, you get legal representation fit for an elite clientele. No other firm will fight harder to protect your rights, freedom and future.
The First Steps
So, what should you do if you find yourself under investigation? First, don’t panic, but do act quickly:
- Hire an Attorney: Get an experienced healthcare fraud lawyer on your side ASAP to start protecting your interests.
- Follow Instructions: Your lawyer will advise you on what to do next. Follow their instructions to the letter.
- Preserve Evidence: Gather and preserve all relevant records like billing documents and patient files.
- Stay Quiet: Avoid making any statements or speaking about the investigation without your lawyer present.
- Be Transparent: However, be fully transparent with your legal team. We can only defend you as well as the information you provide.
The minute you suspect an investigation, the clock is ticking. Having the right lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome.
A Note on COVID-19 Fraud
The COVID-19 pandemic has opened up new areas for potential healthcare fraud prosecutions. The government is cracking down on any perceived abuse of relief funds like the Paycheck Protection Program. If you received COVID assistance for your practice, make sure you have documentation showing exactly how those funds were used. Any discrepancies could lead to federal charges.
Tulsa Healthcare Fraud Defense FAQ
What agencies investigate healthcare fraud in Tulsa?
The primary agencies investigating healthcare fraud in the Tulsa area are:
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
These federal agencies often work together as part of dedicated task forces and strike forces targeting healthcare providers.
What are some examples of healthcare fraud?
Healthcare fraud can take many different forms, but some common examples include:
- Billing Medicare/Medicaid for services that were never rendered
- Upcoding claims to receive higher reimbursements
- Performing medically unnecessary services or procedures
- Falsifying patient records or physician certifications
- Paying or receiving illegal kickbacks for patient referrals
- Prescription drug fraud or controlled substance violations
What penalties could I face if convicted?
The penalties for healthcare fraud convictions can be extremely severe, including:
- Substantial criminal fines and restitution payments
- Program exclusion from Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal healthcare programs
- Loss of professional licenses and credentials
- Federal prison sentences, potentially over 10 years per violation
Beyond that, a conviction can devastate your career and reputation. Having an experienced defense lawyer is crucial.
How does Spodek Law Group build a defense strategy?
We take a comprehensive, detail-oriented approach to every healthcare fraud case:
- We thoroughly review all evidence – records, billing data, witness statements – to identify any holes or inconsistencies.
- We develop applicable affirmative defenses like lack of intent, good faith belief, or reliance on expert guidance.
- We analyze whether the allegations, even if true, would constitute fraud under the specific laws and regulations.
- We negotiate with prosecutors for alternatives like pre-trial diversion when appropriate.
- If it goes to trial, we fight aggressively and call on medical experts to counter the prosecution’s arguments.
Our goal is to avoid charges entirely or mitigate the consequences as much as possible.
What if I made an honest mistake on a billing code?
Honest coding mistakes alone do not necessarily constitute criminal healthcare fraud. The key issue is whether there was an intent to defraud the healthcare program.An experienced defense lawyer can present evidence of mistakes being unintentional coding errors rather than intentional fraud. We frequently resolve these types of cases favorably.
Do you offer free consultations?
Absolutely. We provide free, completely confidential consultations to anyone facing healthcare fraud allegations or investigations in the Tulsa area.This gives us a chance to evaluate your unique situation and for you to understand your rights and legal options before deciding how to proceed. Don’t try to navigate this alone – the risks are too high.
Time is of the Essence
So, let’s recap – if you find yourself under investigation for healthcare fraud in Tulsa, the most important things to do are:
- Stay calm, but take the situation extremely seriously.
- Avoid speaking to anyone about the investigation without your lawyer.
- Hire an experienced Tulsa healthcare fraud defense lawyer immediately.
- Be fully transparent with your legal team about any potentially incriminating facts.
- Follow your lawyer’s instructions and advice to the letter.
Time is of the essence in these cases. Don’t try to handle this on your own. The federal government has virtually unlimited resources, and they aren’t looking out for your best interests. You need a heavy-hitter like Spodek Law Group fighting for you every step of the way.
Your Future Depends on It
Look, I know this is a stressful and uncertain time. But you’ve worked too hard to let some overzealous prosecutor derail your career over misunderstandings or honest mistakes. That’s why you need a healthcare fraud lawyer in Tulsa you can trust – one with the skills, experience and tenacity to go toe-to-toe with the federal government. One who will fight tooth and nail for your rights and your future.
At Spodek Law Group, that’s exactly what you’ll get. From our very first conversation, you’ll realize you’ve found a legal team as invested in your case as you are. So don’t wait, don’t risk your future.
Take the first step and call me directly at 212-210-1851. Your career, your finances, and your freedom may depend on it.