- Accepting kickbacks for services
- Billing the health insurance company for services that were not performed
- Billing health insurance companies twice
- Unbundling services in order to get a higher reimbursement rate
- Dispensing medication when there is no medical need to
- Creating false documents in order to get extra money
Why You Need an Attorney As Soon As Possible
The best thing that you can do if you have been accused of hospice fraud is to hire an attorney as soon as possible. The government has already started building a case against you by the time that they contact you. The sooner you act, the more likely you will be to get the charges dropped.
Defending Against Hospice Fraud
Your attorney knows how to defend you against hospice fraud. They have had experience with the following.
Government Experience
Government officials hire their own lawyers. However, your attorneys have had experience working the government lawyers. They know about the tactics that government lawyers will use.
Industry Knowledge
The attorneys have an in-depth knowledge of the industry. They know that many healthcare fraud charges can result from billing and coding errors. The attorneys also know what protocols have to be established.
Proven Track Record
Our attorneys have a proven track record. They have handled several cases that are similar to yours.
What Are the Penalties for Hospice Fraud?
The penalties for hospice fraud can be hefty. This crime may be investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice, Department of Health And Human Services as well as the Office of Inspector General. You may have to pay up to $11,000 for every claim. Your hospice may also be excluded from federal healthcare programs.
There are also criminal fines that you will have to pay. Additionally, you could spend time in prison for this crime.
Is Your Hospice Facing Fraud Charges?
Hospice owners devote a lot of time and attention to making sure that the patients are properly cared for. It can be a burden to care for someone who is terminally ill. It is a burden that few people are willing to bear. That is why it is essential for these facilities to be funded properly. Most of this funding comes from government agencies.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of stipulations that have to be met in order to get money from the government. Medicare and Medicaid have a long list of rules that you have to follow. Many hospice owners do not have the time to keep up with all of the changes. That is why mistakes happen. However, many problems can result when mistakes are made.
There are some hospice owners who make honest mistakes. However, employees can sometimes engage in dishonest practices. For example, employees may accept kickbacks in order to have an easier time making ends meet. Fraud is treated the same regardless of the motive.
You need the help of an attorney regardless of the circumstances surrounding your case. Even if your hospice is still being investigated and you are not facing any charges yet, you will still need the help of an attorney. Your lawyers will be able to discuss the options that you have. They will also tell you about all of the rights that you have.
