The term fraud basically means the usage of misrepresentation or deceit in order to gain valuable items, money or goods from others. The healthcare fraud is not a different concept. Its victims may involve either healthcare practitioners or patients. However, the culprit needs to pay serious penalties to the victims if found guilty in the case. Thus, to deal away with the situation effectively and wisely, a healthcare fraud lawyer becomes the need of the hour.
Diversity of healthcare frauds
The United States alone accounts for an overall healthcare fraud of over $80 billion within a year as per the investigation of FBI. At times, you can easily differentiate between right and wrong while some cases may have blurred lines between illegal and legal. Here are some of the most prominent healthcare frauds that people usually experience in the US –
- False billing: At times, the healthcare providers provide the bills for such services that are costly rather than those provided. This is in no circumstance a legally acceptable procedure that calls for strict actions against the practitioners.
- Double billing: This is yet another most common phenomenon that patients face with the healthcare providers. They unnecessary charge you twice for any single service, treatment or product.
- Kickbacks:The situation of kickback arises when the practitioners intentionally demand for payments, services or products to solicit any healthcare program for the patients.
- Phantom billing: This type of fraud involves charging for such tests that practitioners not even perform.
Finding the right defense lawyer
Whether you are a practitioner or a client, if, at any instance, you find yourself stuck in a situation of healthcare fraud; you immediately need to contact a reputed healthcare fraud lawyer for better assistance. Although, various criminal defense lawyers are available at your service, consulting a specialized attorney can give you a distinctive approach. Here are few tips that you can consider while hiring the right lawyer for your case –
- Make a list of top skilled healthcare fraud lawyers of your city.
- Examine their past experience and number of cases dealt by them.
- Check if they are compliant with the official governing bodies or not.
