Nassau County Medicaid Fraud
Medicaid fraud refers to billing for services that were never provided, unnecessary referrals, charging separately for services that would usually be offered at a package rate or performing unnecessary tests. When a doctor or practice is accused of participating in Medicaid fraud, this can lead to an investigation. Any kind of fraud, however, could lead to serious charges for the person accused. A Nassau County Medicaid fraud lawyer is important.
Any person additionally who has received Medicaid illegally may be subject to investigation and potential charges. If you have already received notification from NYCHRA that eligibility for health insurance is under review, this may be an indication that an investigation of Medicaid fraud has already been opened.
Common Reasons for Flagging Medicaid Fraud CasesThe majority of Medicaid fraud cases across New York City are flagged as a result of a person's unwillingness to disclose their full household income or to update an agency about an increase in income on your application or recertification.
Many of the individuals who get Medicaid and are ultimately investigated for Medicaid fraud in New York are investigated because they fail to disclose the number of individuals living with them or who they have children with, their real earned income or their unearned income. There are a variety of different legal consequences that may be associated with an allegation of Medicaid fraud.
These include fines, criminal charges and restitution payments. Furthermore, your employment opportunities and immigration status can be affected by Medicaid fraud allegations. If you have received an HRA investigations letter, it is important that you contact a knowledgeable Medicaid fraud lawyer in Nassau County immediately prior to speaking with investigators.
This gives you the best possible opportunity to walk through the potential reasons why your case may have been flagged for Medicaid fraud and the things you should do in order to protect yourself. If you have already received a call from the District Attorney's Office about allegations of Medicaid fraud, you need to consult with an attorney immediately. If your Medicaid fraud investigation leads to criminal charges, you can be arrested and held in custody until you see a judge, which can take 24 hours or longer depending on your jurisdiction. A Medicaid Fraud lawyer in Nassau County is an important asset for your case.
Prosecutors may also lodge other charges against you including possession of stolen property and grand larceny. Some of the most common criminal charges alleged in conjunction with Medicaid fraud allegations include:
- Petty larceny
- Welfare fraud in the third degree
- Criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree
- Offering a false instrument for filing in the second degree
- CPSP fifth degree
If you are advised by an investigator that the case may have criminal charges or if you have already contacted the district attorney's office, you need the knowledgeable representation provided by a New York criminal defense attorney. Your case can be flagged for a variety of different reasons but all of these should prompt you to contact a knowledgeable attorney. In the majority of cases, if you have already received a letter from HRA, this indicates that there is an open investigation currently happening and that the investigator believes that you were, at some point, or are currently not eligible for Medicaid or Family Health Plus insurance.
If the letter says that you need to have a meeting with an investigator you should never plan to attend this meeting on your own. In the majority of cases an investigator is requesting you to come in person because they may have already collected evidence proving that you were not eligible for Family Health Plus or Medicaid. By answering any of the investigators' questions without the presence of a New York criminal attorney, you may disclose additional details that could be used against you by the investigator. You do have the right to legal representation and can bring your attorney with you to the meeting with the investigator or you may choose to have your consultation in advance with an experienced Medicaid fraud attorney.
Regardless of how you choose to proceed, consulting with a lawyer well in advance gives you a broad perspective of the issues often involved in Medicaid fraud cases so that you can prepare appropriately. The consequences will vary depending on the outcome of the investigation. If there are no criminal allegations you will probably have to pay a full restitution of premiums, however. If criminal charges are brought against you, you could lose a professional license, be deported or end up with a prison sentence. All of these are significant consequences that should be taken seriously by you as soon as possible. Contact a knowledgeable lawyer you can trust.