New York Federal Health Care Fraud Investigations

Health care fraud is taken very seriously by the government. Millions of dollars go missing as a result of fraudulent claims filed by healthcare professionals, and in some instances, patients themselves. As a result of this waste, the government is now taking a more stringent and aggressive approach to New York health care fraud investigations, as well as the charges themselves. That is why it is important to contact an attorney. If you have been charged with healthcare fraud, get in touch with a qualified federal health care fraud lawyer that can work tirelessly to make your case.

Dynamics of  Healthcare Fraud Investigations

Usually, New York federal health care fraud investigations are done by the FBI, which is primarily charged on the federal side with handling health care fraud investigations. The investigations can be handled in a number of different ways. Sometimes, the FBI will recruit undercover or confidential sources to help them out. Sometimes, they can prove a case solely using medical records and other documents, including telephone records, emails, and, prescription records.

Federal Agencies Involved in Investigations

As mentioned above, the main federal agency involved in investigating federal health care fraud. Of all of the federal agencies, the FBI are primarily with handling generalized federal health care fraud. State agencies would not handle federal fraud. That being said, state agencies handle the state side of Medicaid. For instance in New York, the New York State Department of Health has its own investigatory unit to handle state Medicaid fraud.

What Happens During the Course of an Investigation

Anything can happen during the course of New York federal health care fraud investigations. Once an investigation starts, they never really know what can turn up especially if an individual does not have a lawyer from the get-go. If the government freely can go into either a healthcare organization or an insurance company and start looking for fraud, they never know what else they will turn. Really, anything can happen in one of these investigations once the floodgate’s open.

Evidence the Government Uses to Prove Fraud

The evidence that the government uses to prove elements in New York federal health care fraud investigations includes:

• Wiretaps
• In person recordings
• Undercover agents
• Emails
• Health care documents
• Photographs
• Receipts/medical bills

Importance of an Experienced Attorney

These cases are extremely complex. The statutes are very complex. Federal cases alone are complicated, and because they involve the government, they often carry higher penalties. There is a lot on the line during New York federal health care fraud investigations, which is why it is vital that you contact a lawyer who is familiar with healthcare fraud cases. A seasoned fraud attorney can hire a private investigator that can look into your case and gather evidence of their own. The attorney can anticipate the kind of arguments that the prosecution can make, and craft a defense that can weaken the prosecution’s argument.  Most importantly, an experienced healthcare fraud lawyer can fight for you.