Healthcare Fraud Defense for Medical Professionals Throughout Southern California
Healthcare Fraud Defense attorney Karren Kenney is an experienced criminal lawyer and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), who has dedicated her career to protecting the rights of individuals facing prosecution. Ms. Kenney has practiced as a defense lawyer for her entire career, never prosecuting anyone, and she has tried over 60 criminal cases. In her 20 years of practice, Ms. Kenney has gained a significant amount of experience in cases that involve the full spectrum of criminal offenses, such as healthcare fraud.
Fighting charges of Healthcare Fraud
The term “healthcare fraud” can be confusing. However, it is important to understand the definition of this crime and its implications. The state of California has steadily intensified its efforts to prosecute cases of healthcare fraud and has even formed a task force for the purpose of investigating them. As a result, more and more charges are being brought against individuals who have engaged in this type of illegal conduct.
In California, healthcare fraud defense cases can take many forms, but they usually involve a plan to deceive either the federal Medicare system or the Medi-Cal system. Some of the most common examples of this behavior include the following:
- Fraudulent medical insurance billing for treatment that was not performed
- Requesting unnecessary patient testing
- Falsifying medical records
- Providing procedures that are not “medically necessary”
- Double billing for work performed
- Prescribing unnecessary medication
- Prescription fraud, including selling prescription pads or drugs
- Medicare or Medicaid fraud, such as creating fake patient files, falsely stating a patients condition, misrepresenting services rendered, or billing for services not rendered, up coding and unbundling
- Fraudulent cost reports
- Kickbacks and self-referrals
- Fraudulent pharmacy practices
Furthermore, if a health care professional is found guilty of healthcare fraud, he or she may have a medical license revoked due to the medical fraud. Thus, the possible penalties in a healthcare fraud case can be detrimental to one's livelihood and reputation in the long term as well as the short term. This means that it is crucial to hire an attorney who can help you mount the strongest possible defense in your situation.
The offense of healthcare fraud requires the prosecution to show specific intent to defraud the insurance company, Medi-Cal or another benefits program. A charge will not be sustained unless the defendant had the intent to deceive the program and made a false statement or wrongfully concealed information for the purpose of gaining a material or financial advantage.
Consult a Healthcare Fraud Defense Attorney Knowledgeable in Healthcare Fraud Charges
If you or someone you know has been charged with healthcare fraud, you should not hesitate to contact fraud defense attorney. Karren Kenney. She has achieved certification as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and has extensive experience representing clients facing prosecution based on these types of offenses. Ms. Kenney will stand up for you in the courtroom, and she will relentlessly pursue all ways available to get your charges reduced or dropped. We serve individuals throughout Southern California and nationwide in Federal Courts. Call (855) 505-5588 or contact us online for a free initial phone consultation.