Health Care Fraud and Alaska Medical Organizations
Several former prosecutors of health care fraud cases for the Department of Justice and Assistant United States Attorneys have combined with a group of nationally known defense attorneys who are sought out for their years of experience with health care fraud allegations to form The Criminal Defense Firm. Our law firm helps businesses and individuals nationwide, including throughout Alaska, to defend themselves against accusations of health care fraud, including Medicare fraud, Tricare fraud, allegations of anti-kickback and Stark law violations, and other similar claims. At The Criminal Defense Firm, our clients include rehabilitation groups, hospices, home health care agencies, pharmacies, toxicology laboratories, hospitals, surgical centers, DME providers, device companies, medical business owners, and physicians. We have the unequaled ability to build your defense with the knowledge and insight of former health care prosecutors for the federal government and experienced health care fraud defense lawyers.
Medicare Fraud Investigations in Alaska
If you practice in the medical field in Juneau, Anchorage, or elsewhere in Alaska, you should be aware that prosecutions for health care fraud in your area are expected to become more common than they are in other parts of the country. Expectations are also that the cases will be among the most aggressively pursued. The reason for this focus is the sharp increase in health care spending in Alaska in the last several years. Per-person spending on health care is the third-highest in the country, and the rural nature and large size of the state makes oversight of all doctors more difficult. Between 2005 and 2010, health care costs in Alaska rose 40%. Approximately 18% of this spending is done by Medicare, a program that is always under pressure to cut costs. Unsurprisingly, prosecutors focus their attention on areas of large spending when seeking out possible fraud.
Not All Mistakes Constitute Health Care Fraud
Medical providers and health care entrepreneurs in Alaska understand that the myriad regulations and rules in the health care field are always changing and often confusing. Still, there is a difference between committing intentional fraud and simply making a human error. For example, you may rely on a certain billing code, only to find that while it was allowed yesterday, it will be deemed inappropriate tomorrow. Sadly, these kinds of unintentional errors may lead the government to accuse Alaska providers of committing health care fraud. In addition, the United States government has recently allowed federal agencies, including the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), to investigate medical providers based solely on an analysis of data showing that they perform a high quantity of business for federally-insured patients. That is, your success in building a practice to serve Alaska’s veterans, elderly, or lower-income population may, in and of itself, cause the government to audit you and your practice.
Remember: Just because the government has accused you of committing health care fraud does not make you guilty. Call the former federal prosecutors and experienced defense attorneys of The Criminal Defense Firm to discuss your situation. All initial consultations are free and confidential.
Experienced Defense Attorneys Are Available to Answer Your Health Care Fraud Questions
If you have reason to believe or have been told that you are being audited or investigated by the government, or simply have questions about the legal ramifications of your health care business, contact the experienced attorneys at The Criminal Defense Firm as soon as possible for a free and confidential consultation. We are available seven days a week, including weekends.
Our Team is on Your Side in Alaska
The Criminal Defense Firm, is a group of former federal prosecutors and experienced health care fraud defense lawyers who helps clients in Alaska and nationwide, using our proven defense strategies, as tailored for your own personal situation, to defeat all types of government investigations. Every client at The Criminal Defense Firm has direct and personal access to one or more senior attorneys; you will never be handed off to secretaries, junior associates, or paralegals.
Free Consultation From Defense Attorneys Of The Criminal Defense Firm
If you suspect or have been informed that you are the target of a government investigation or health care audit, or if you have questions about your Alaska health care business you would like to have answered in a free and confidential setting, contact the experienced attorneys at The Criminal Defense Firm today. Our lawyers are available to take your calls seven days a week, including weekends.
Brian Kuester offers his extensive experience to counsel companies and individuals under civil or criminal government investigation. When resolution requires litigation, clients choose Mr. Kuester’s proven court and litigation experience.