Due to a number of recent high-profile fraud investigations, federal agencies including the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have recently targeted their sights on hospices suspected of federal program fraud. “Federal program fraud” refers to practices such as falsifying records and paying kickbacks in relation to hospice services provided to patients who receive Medicare, Tricare, and other federal benefits.
Each year, federal program fraud costs the government billions of dollars. As a result, law enforcement officers and prosecutors are cracking down on anyone suspected of this type of fraud. Unfortunately, this means that many innocent hospice care providers are finding themselves in the government’s crosshairs.
Learn About Your Hospice’s Federal Program Fraud Investigation
If you are being investigated for healthcare fraud, you need to take your situation extremely seriously. When you contact the The Criminal Defense Firm, our team of senior attorneys will work closely with you to build a defense strategy designed to minimize the consequences of the government’s investigation. Review the resources linked below for more information, and then contact us for a free, confidential consultation about your case.
1. Why is the Government Targeting Hospices?
Learn more about why the federal government is increasingly targeting hospices in federal program fraud investigations. In A New Trend in Healthcare Enforcement: Hospice Fraud, our experienced healthcare defense attorneys and former federal prosecutors discuss:
- Common allegations against hospices
- Real-life examples of recent hospice fraud investigations
- Warning signs of a federal investigation
2. The Growth of the Hospice Industry
One major factor in the federal government’s decision to target hospices in its fraud investigations is the recent boom in the hospice services industry. A number of factors have contributed to what has become a five-fold increase in hospice spending with Medicare and Tricare paying more now than ever before for elderly patients hospice care. Understanding the factors behind the government’s decision to focus on hospice fraud provides important insights for defending against federal program fraud allegations. Read more in: Department of Justice Targets Hospice Care Providers.
3. Potential Penalties for Hospice Fraud
The penalties that you may be facing will depend upon whether the government’s investigation is civil or criminal in nature, and the steps that you take during the investigation can affect whether you ultimately end up facing criminal charges in federal court. Learn more about how to approach your investigation and the potential penalties for hospice fraud in: How to Defend Against Allegations of Hospice Fraud.
4. Defending Against a Federal Hospice Fraud Investigation
In order to effectively defend yourself against the government’s investigators and prosecutors, you need an experienced healthcare fraud defense team on your side. This requires both (i) extensive experience defending clients in Medicare, Tricare, and other healthcare fraud investigations; and, (ii) prior experience inside the government as healthcare prosecutors. Learn more about what to expect during your hospice fraud investigation, and how to choose the law firm to represent you read:
Schedule Your Free Hospice Fraud Consultation Now
The Criminal Defense Firm is a team of experienced healthcare fraud defense attorneys and former federal prosecutors who represent clients in healthcare fraud investigations nationwide. For a free, confidential consultation about your case, call us at 866-603-4540 or contact us online today.
Dr. Nick Oberheiden is a national litigation and trial criminal defense attorney who practices exclusively in the area of federal law.