Columbia Healthcare Fraud Defense Lawyer

Healthcare is a critical need for many people in South Carolina and costs the state millions of dollars each year. The government relies on internal reporters and whistleblowers to inform investigators when fraud occurs so that they may recover the lost money.

Charges of fraud or theft of services can be a shock for healthcare facilities, and when individuals are accused of such activities, which can occur at many levels of a company, you may be unaware of the scope of the crime. To defend yourself from these allegations, you need assistance from a Columbia healthcare fraud defense lawyer. Protecting your legal rights is essential. Contact an experienced federal crime defense attorney at The Law Office of Bill Nettles today.

What is Healthcare Fraud?

South Carolina Code § 8-27-10 defines healthcare fraud as an intentional misuse, misdirection, or loss of funds intended for use in public health. This type of fraud can be committed by individuals and agencies. Fraud may be committed through various acts, including:

• Misstating income on a public assistance application
• Ordering unnecessary tests or procedures for billing purposes
• Unlawfully claiming dependents or claiming individuals as dependents who are not
• Billing for services not rendered, or coding for a single service under multiple codes

In these cases, the motive does not matter, only the intent. For instance, if a social worker reduces a client’s income so they can receive higher benefits, they may mean well, but fraud still impacts the state’s ability to provide services to everyone. Under the legal theory of vicarious liability, owners and managers are responsible if employees engage in fraud and fail to respond promptly.

If you are being charged with healthcare fraud due to a mistake and do not know how to best handle the situation, a false medical claims attorney in Columbia can explain how to manage the situation while protecting your rights.

Defenses Against Health Care Fraud Allegations

If you are already facing charges of healthcare fraud, our Columbia attorneys will review your case and craft a defense strategy to protect you. Some common defense tactics include:

• Solid compliance programs: If there is a good regulatory compliance program in place, it can help show a lack of intent or proof of simple error
• Lack of knowledge: There is a possibility to defend that an individual was unaware that their actions fell under the legal area of fraud
• Reliance on outside experts: Reasonable reliance on billing consultants, computer contractors, or other specialists may show an additional effort to comply and a lack of intent to defraud
• Error or simple negligence: Mistakes happen, and if you have other safeguards in place to prevent intentional fraud, it is easier to prove an accident or a mistake

Your attorney will work with you to show that you were unaware of fraudulent actions or that an error was at fault, and there was no intent to defraud.

Contact Us to Get Legal Advice From a False Medical Claims Attorney in Columbia

Healthcare fraud affects everyone. All healthcare providers want to see this type of wrongdoing addressed and do their best to avoid it in their own companies. A Columbia healthcare fraud defense lawyer could explain what you should do if you are charged with this offense, and how best to avoid any future charges. Contact The Law Office of Bill Nettles today to get your case started.