Cincinnati Medicaid Fraud Lawyer
Helping Individuals in Cincinnati, Ohio with Defending against a Medicaid Fraud Charge
Medicaid fraud is a very serious criminal charge in Cincinnati and elsewhere. If you are ultimately found guilty and convicted of Medicaid fraud, you may be sentenced to federal jail time, high fines, and other very serious penalties.
In criminal cases that involve Medicaid fraud, the prosecutor assigned to your case is responsible for proving all of the legal elements of this offense in order to obtain a conviction against you. One legal element that the government must prove is that you specifically intended to defraud the government of Ohio or the United States. If the government fails to meet its legal burden of ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ in this regard, the case against you could wind up getting dismissed.
If you or your medical practice is being investigated for Medicaid fraud, it is important that you seek an experienced attorney to defend you in your criminal case. The Cincinnati Medicaid fraud lawyers at the Joslyn Law Firm will work hard to ensure that your legal rights are safeguarded throughout your criminal case and can work with you to develop a strong legal defense to your financial crime charges.
You can call us today at (513) 399-6289 or contact us online to learn more about how we may assist with defending you against your pending criminal charge.
Overview of Medicaid Fraud in Ohio
- What is Medicaid Fraud in Cincinnati?
- Types of Medicaid Fraud in Cincinnati
- What are the Penalties for a Medicaid Fraud Conviction?
- Possible Defenses Against Medicaid Fraud Charges
- Talk to a Lawyer Today
What is Medicaid Fraud in Cincinnati?
Medicaid fraud charges apply when someone gives deceptive and false information to get payment for medical care or services from the Medicaid program. There are several different ways that an individual or a health care provider might commit Medicaid fraud in Cincinnati, and some of those ways include:
- A person makes an intentionally false or misleading statement (or causes another individual to make a false or misleading statement) so that he or she is able to receive reimbursement from Medicaid.
- A person falsifies, destroys, or otherwise alters a document or a set of documents that are needed to obtain reimbursement from Medicaid – and does so after having already sent a bill to Medicaid.
- A person knowingly and intentionally solicits or accepts a payment for purposes of obtaining Medicaid services, and he or she does so while specifically intending to commit Medicaid fraud.
Types of Medicaid Fraud in Cincinnati
There are several different types of activities that constitute a crime of Medicaid fraud in Cincinnati. For example, a provider might bill Medicaid for unbundled services or bill for services which the patient was never actually provided. In other cases, a health care provider might bill Medicaid for certain medical equipment that the patient did not use at any time, issue a false payment invoice, or overuse medical procedures or services.
If you are currently facing a criminal Medicaid Fraud charge in Cincinnati, your first step should be to contact an experienced Cincinnati Medicaid fraud attorney as soon as you possibly can. A knowledgeable lawyer can review the basis for your criminal charge and determine if you are likely to be successful with a particular legal defense at your criminal trial.
What are the Penalties for a Medicaid Fraud Conviction?
If you plead guilty or are convicted of Medicaid fraud, you can face possible jail time and fines. The penalties in each case will depend on the seriousness of the fraud, as well as any prior record of criminal convictions. Some penalties you might face for Medicaid fraud include the following:
- For fraud ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 = Up to 12 months in jail
- For fraud ranging from $7,500 to $150,000 = Up to 18 months in jail
- For fraud over $150,000 = Up to five years in prison
An experienced Cincinnati Medicaid fraud attorney can represent you and argue for the lightest possible penalty or sentence. Without the right representation, jail time is common for this type of conviction.
Possible Defenses against Medicaid Fraud Charges
If you are facing a criminal charge for Medicaid fraud, an experienced attorney on your side can assist you with pursuing a legal defense against your criminal charge. In order for a federal prosecutor to prove that you are guilty of Medicaid fraud, he or she must introduce facts or documentation into evidence that demonstrate, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you harbored an intent to defraud the federal government.
In those instances, the accused may be in a position to argue that the alleged fraud was simply a mistake that was caused by a member of the accused’s office staff. Since honest mistakes by a health care provider or a member of the health care provider’s staff do not rise to the level of Medicaid fraud, a case where such a mistake was made may ultimately wind up getting dismissed.
An experienced Cincinnati Medicaid fraud lawyer can review any and all legal defenses which are available to you in your case and can help you decide on the best legal option for your case. Moreover, at a criminal trial in the federal court system, your lawyer may introduce evidence – including your own testimony and/or the testimony of a member of your office staff – which furthers a legal defense that you are advancing. Your lawyer can also make a closing argument on your behalf, telling the fact-finders how they should view the evidence that was presented at trial.
Talk to a Cincinnati Medicaid Fraud Attorney about Your Charges Today
In addition to the serious potential criminal penalties, a conviction for Medicaid fraud in Cincinnati can result in civil and administrative penalties, including a suspension or revocation of your license to practice. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Joslyn Law Firm will ensure that you understand all of your legal rights and options and will do everything possible to minimize the consequences associated with a criminal charge and/or a conviction. Our legal team prides itself on providing clients with affordable, zealous, and result-oriented representation throughout their criminal cases.
The Joslyn Law Firm handles cases in and around Cincinnati, Ohio. We also represent clients in court throughout Southwest Ohio, including Campbell County, Montgomery County, Greene County, Warren County, Hamilton County, Butler County, Clermont County, and Brown County.
To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a Cincinnati Medicaid fraud attorney, please call us at (513) 399-6289 or contact us online to learn more about how we could assist you with your legal defense.
