Dallas, Texas Health Care Fraud Attorneys

In recent years, state and federal investigators have increased efforts at curbing health care fraud. In many cases, an honest misunderstanding or repeated billing error may attract the attention of auditors and federal investigators.

At the law office of Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl LLP, our attorneys work with medical billing experts, medical professionals, and accountants in defending doctors and other health care providers charged with fraud. In many cases, the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes or the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) present confusing or ambiguous direction for classifying medical treatment or the purchase of medical equipment.

When a mistake in selecting the right code is made over and over again, it may appear intentional, attracting the attention of investigators. Our lawyers have the experience and knowledge needed to counter an investigation and question the credibility of the prosecution's allegations at trial.

If you are currently under investigation or have been charged with committing health care fraud, contact health care fraud defense attorneys at Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl today and schedule an appointment to discuss your case.

Health Care Fraud and the Forms It Can Take

Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl counsels and represents doctors, dentists, psychologists, HMOs, and clinics charged with committing the following kind of health care fraud:

• Over billing
• Upcoding
• Unbundling
• Double billing
• Submitting a false invoice
• HIPAA violations
• Medicare and Medicaid Insurance Fraud

Avoiding Obstruction of Justice Charges

In order to determine if fraud has occurred, investigators often request billing records, financial statements, and information about patient care. In some cases, even if a doctor or medical equipment supplier hasn't committed fraud, sloppy record-keeping or panic may lead them to destroy records, invoices, or secure files somewhere away from investigators. However, destroying, removing, or withholding files can constitute an obstruction of justice. As a result, the accused may be acquitted of fraud charges but be sentenced to jail or fined for obstructing justice.

At Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl, our attorneys work closely with our clients throughout all stages of an investigation in order to ensure they avoid an obstruction of justice charge. If we are contacted early enough, we can advise you in regard to what should be shared with investigators while avoiding self-incrimination. Additionally, while asserting and protecting your rights, we may be able to deflect an investigation or convince prosecutors they don't have enough evidence to pursue a case.

Contact Health Care Fraud Attorneys at Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl

State and federal investigators are often over-zealous in pursuing health care fraud cases. Due to the complexity of the CPT codes and lack of medical knowledge, investigators misconstrue events and patterns of billing for fraud. We have the resources and knowledge to undermine the government's case against you and put the prosecution on the defensive.

To schedule an appointment to discuss your case, contact health care fraud lawyers at Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl today.