Los Angeles Federal Healthcare Fraud Attorney

Are you facing an investigation or federal healthcare fraud charges in Los Angeles, CA? Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers can defend your rights and help you understand what comes next. Navigating the complexities of federal fraud cases requires a strategic, aggressive approach to litigation.

Do not leave your future to chance; contact us at (747) 373-0477 today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Los Angeles federal healthcare fraud lawyer.

Why Choose Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers for a Healthcare Fraud Case in Los Angeles, CA?

Federal healthcare fraud cases in Los Angeles, California, can require reviewing complex billing records, assessing detailed medical evidence, and understanding federal criminal procedure. You need a law firm with experience handling federal criminal defense matters and the ability to examine the government's allegations closely.

Defendants hire us because:

• Our legal team has 25+ years of experience handling federal criminal matters.
• We have a proven understanding of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and how mitigation arguments can affect a case.
• Lead attorney Daniel R. Perlman formerly worked as an attorney with the Maryland State's Attorney's Office, giving him experience with criminal prosecution strategies.
• Our work has earned professional recognition from The National Trial Lawyers, Justia, and other legal organizations.

Contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney.

What Is Federal Healthcare Fraud?

Federal healthcare fraud is criminalized by 18 U.S.C. § 1347. Federal law makes it illegal to knowingly and willfully execute, or attempt to execute, a scheme to defraud a healthcare benefit program or obtain its money or property through false or fraudulent pretenses in connection with healthcare benefits, items, or services.

The law applies to both public and private healthcare benefit programs, which can include Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance.

A range of healthcare professionals and business owners can become targets of federal healthcare fraud investigations, including:

• Physicians and surgeons
• Nurse practitioners and physician assistants
• Clinic and medical practice owners
• Home health and hospice operators
• Durable medical equipment suppliers
• Pharmacists and pharmacy owners

Prosecutors do not have to prove that a defendant knew about § 1347 or specifically intended to violate that statute. They still must prove that the defendant knowingly and willfully participated in the alleged healthcare fraud scheme.

Common Healthcare Fraud Cases We Defend

Our Los Angeles federal healthcare fraud defense attorneys handle a comprehensive range of allegations, from complex billing irregularities to sophisticated multi-million dollar schemes.

Federal healthcare prosecutions in Los Angeles can involve allegations such as:

• Submitting claims for medical procedures, tests, or equipment that were never provided
• Upcoding claims to seek higher reimbursement than the services actually warrant
• Kickbacks or referral arrangements involving items or services reimbursable by federal healthcare programs
• Ordering or performing tests, treatments, or referrals that prosecutors claim were medically unnecessary
• Durable medical equipment billing involving allegedly unnecessary or unreceived items
• Prescription medication and pharmacy billing irregularities
• Hospice care claims involving patients who allegedly did not meet program requirements
• Telehealth billing and related services

Healthcare fraud allegations can also lead to civil or administrative proceedings, including False Claims Act matters, depending on the conduct involved.

Penalties for a Federal Healthcare Fraud Conviction

A conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 1347 carries up to 10 years in federal prison. The maximum increases to 20 years if the violation results in serious bodily injury and can reach life imprisonment if the violation results in death.

A conviction can also result in substantial fines, restitution, and forfeiture of property traceable to the offense.

Healthcare professionals may face additional consequences beyond the criminal sentence. Depending on the offense and program involved, those consequences can include exclusion from federal healthcare programs, licensing or disciplinary proceedings, loss of billing privileges, and serious harm to a medical practice or healthcare business.

For business owners, restrictions on billing or participation in government healthcare programs can also threaten the continued operation of a practice or facility.

Defenses Against Federal Healthcare Fraud Charges

Healthcare fraud defense strategies depend on the facts of the case. An experienced attorney must understand the allegations, billing practices, medical evidence, and the government's proof before recommending a defense approach.

Potential defense strategies include:

• Lack of fraudulent intent: Billing or coding errors may result from mistakes rather than knowing and willful participation in a scheme to defraud.
• Good-faith reliance: Reliance on billing professionals or administrative staff may be relevant to whether a defendant knowingly participated in fraudulent billing.
• Medical necessity disputes: Medical records, clinical judgment, and appropriate expert evidence may challenge allegations that services were unnecessary.
• Insufficient evidence of participation: The government may lack evidence connecting an accused person to the full scope of an alleged conspiracy or billing scheme.
• Fourth Amendment challenges: When appropriate, defense counsel may challenge an unlawful search and seek to suppress evidence obtained in violation of constitutional protections.

Our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers often raise more than one defense or evidentiary challenge, depending on the facts of the case. Healthcare fraud investigations often involve large volumes of records, communications, billing data, and medical information, so the details can matter significantly.

Contact a Los Angeles Federal Healthcare Fraud Lawyer Today

If you are under investigation for healthcare fraud, getting legal advice early can give your attorney more time to review the allegations, preserve relevant records, and prepare for what comes next. The legal team at Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers can examine the government's case and explain your available options.

Contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation and discuss your case with a Los Angeles federal healthcare fraud attorney.