Federal charges involving fraud are particularly serious white collar criminal allegations as they have the potential to bring serious repercussions for the accused. Health care fraud is a type of white-collar crime, often involving those who work in the health care industry. One Michigan doctor recently pleaded guilty to health care fraud charges due to her role in a case involving her billing practices.
Fraudulent billing practices
The Muskegon doctor pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. The doctor was accused of billing insurance companies for services she did not actually perform. In her admission, she said that she billed for services for patients who came to her office at times when she was not present. In many cases, these visits were for the purposed of securing refills on controlled substance prescriptions, and the patients did not actually meet with a doctor.
Part of her plea deal included a global settlement, including payment to the state of Michigan and the United States as part of her civil liability. She also surrendered her Drug Enforcement Administration registration, for which she can never reapply. The doctor is still awaiting her sentencing, and she is facing up to 10 years in prison.
The serious nature of these charges
Health care fraud can lead to serious criminal penalties that can alter the course of a defendant’s life. If one is facing these allegations, his or her best course of action would be to seek the guidance and support of an experienced federal defense attorney. With an effective defense plan, it may be possible to secure mitigated penalties and fight the prosecution’s case.
