Home healthcare providers face increasing regulatory scrutiny as the government places more resources into Medicare fraud investigations. Home healthcare fraud carries severe penalties under federal law. Providers should understand the penalties and the potential impact of healthcare fraud charges on their careers. Lowther | Walker helps safeguard home healthcare providers facing federal investigations, charges, and fraud cases.
This post explores the penalties home healthcare firms face in Medicare fraud cases.
Criminal Penalties
The courts base criminal penalties on the damages associated with the fraud. Home healthcare fraud cases resulting in serious bodily injury can lead to sentences of 20 years. If DOJ investigators find fraud in a case associated with the death of a patient, the sentence can reach 30 years to life in prison.
Financial Penalties
The financial penalties are secondary to the potential criminal enforcement actions due to home healthcare fraud charges. Individuals working for home healthcare companies can face fines of up to $250,000 for healthcare fraud. Charges against the business can lead to a fine of up to $500,000.
Restitution
The court can impose restitution penalties on home healthcare agencies and providers. The restitution reflects the amount Medicare lost due to fraud.
Administrative Penalties
Home healthcare providers found guilty of fraud may face exclusion from federal healthcare programs, the loss of their professional licenses, civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation, and three times the amount wrongfully claimed.
How Healthcare Fraud Lawyers Can Help Home Health Providers Avoid Penalties
Immediate Investigation Response
A healthcare fraud defense attorney can intervene soon after you receive audit requests and subpoenas or have contact with investigators. Early intervention within a home healthcare fraud investigation often determines case outcomes.
Regulatory Knowledge
Home healthcare fraud investigations often involve overlapping agencies with enforcement mandates and regulations. Federal defense attorneys have extensive knowledge of healthcare regulations and their coverage. Your lawyer can help advocate for your rights as a provider and show how you’re meeting your obligations under the following:
- The False Claims Act
- The Anti-Kickback Statute
- Stark Law
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Proven Experience Winning Challenging Claims
Home healthcare fraud defense firms offer their proven experience in helping clients avoid penalties in complex cases. They can help you demonstrate a lack of fraudulent intent by identifying individual team member errors.
Your defense team will also guide you in challenging the government’s evidence and their calculations for potential damages. Healthcare fraud defense lawyers can also negotiate settlements that allow you to continue participating in the Medicare program and limit your financial penalties.
Book a Free Consultation with Our Home Healthcare Fraud Defense Attorneys
Lowther | Walker has proven their experience winning complex home healthcare fraud defense cases over several decades. Our healthcare attorneys can help your firm avoid negative publicity and protect your professional reputation. We can immediately respond to investigators, prosecutors, and auditors working for the federal government.
We’ve represented healthcare providers facing home healthcare fraud investigations nationwide, including in the Districts of New York, Illinois, Arizona, Alaska, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Don’t wait to book a consultation. Call our team at 877-208-7146 and speak with a healthcare fraud attorney today.