Articles Tagged with health care fraud

As a nurse, your license is one of your most valuable assets. Yet, complaints or accusations against you could jeopardize your ability to practice. At Conaway & Strickler, P.C., we understand the gravity of these situations and are here to help. Attorney Meg Strickler is experienced license defense attorney who has handled these issues for years.  Below are some questions and answers that will help you navigate any issues you might having with the Nursing Board.

Question: What types of issues come before the State of Georgia Nursing Board?

Answer: Below are some common issues the Board handles. Many of these issues may overlap, as most of this conduct also constitutes a crime.

The DOJ just announced more successes in health care prosecutions involving approximately $2.75 billion in intended losses and $1.6 billion in actual losses.  The case descriptions are varied, but the main jist is the same: the DOJ is utilizing nationwide efforts to crack down on health care fraud.  Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that law  enforcement has been working hard across 32 federal districts, and has filed charges against 193 defendants, for their roles in health care fraud schemes.

But, also he made sure to point out that in addition to the charges and arrests being announced, that the government also seized over $230 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets in connection with these cases.

The government comes after you with search warrants, warrants to freeze and seize your assets and subpoenas for your records.  Do not attempt to deal with these things alone Contact us so we can protect your license, your livelihood and your assets.

 

 

What is Medicaid? Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for some people with limited income and resources.

What is Georgia Medicaid? Medicaid is a “medical assistance program that helps many people who cannot afford medical care pay for some or all of their medical bills. Medicaid is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health and pays medical bills with state and federal tax money.”

What is Medicaid Fraud?

On June 13, 2024, two health care executives of Done Global Inc were indicted for health care fraud related charges.  The indictment alleges that the two participated in a scheme to distribute Adderall over the internet, conspire to commit health care fraud in connection with the submission of false and fraudulent claims for reimbursement for Adderall and other stimulants, and obstruct justice.

“As alleged, these defendants exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to develop and carry out a $100 million scheme to defraud taxpayers and provide easy access to Adderall and other stimulants for no legitimate medical purpose,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.   These arrests mark the DOJ’s 1st criminal drug distribution prosecutions related to prescribing via telemedicine, the agency said.

Conaway & Strickler represent healthcare providers in fighting against allegations such as these by agencies such as the DOJ, HHS-OIG, FBI, Georgia Medicaid Fraud Control Units and cases nationwide.  We have litigated federal healthcare cases in NJ, NY, LA, FL, TX and GA.  We also represent healthcare providers in medical and professional licensing board matters as well.

Attorney General Merrick Garland made recent comments about what he considered to be the Department of Justice’s top priorities for 2022.  Since taking office in March 2021, Garland has tried to combat crime in a tumultuous time.  He has been criticized for his handling of January 6 investigation and has stated it’s the most urgent probe in history.

With all of this going on, the US Attorney’s office increased its prosecutions of individuals of white collar crimes in the year 2021.  White collar charges like fraud, theft, corruption, bribery, environmental crime, tax fraud, health care fraud, procurement fraud, money laundering, PPP loan fraud, etc will continue to get more attention from the Department of Justice.

What does this mean?  It means that investigations of any sort need to be taken seriously and that you should contact a lawyer immediately if any wrongdoing is alleged.

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Health Care Qui Tam cases

What does Qui Tam mean? 

Qui tam is short for the Latin phrase “qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur,” which roughly translates to “he who brings an action for the king as well as for himself.”  

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