The need for having an experienced, knowledgeable federal criminal defense attorney has never been greater today than it has been in several years.
Today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price, M.D., announced the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, involving 412 charged defendants across 41 federal districts, including 115 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving approximately $1.3 billion in false billings. Of those charged, over 120 defendants, including doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics. Thirty state Medicaid Fraud Control Units also participated in today’s arrests. In addition, HHS has initiated suspension actions against 295 providers, including doctors, nurses and pharmacists.
The charges — like most prosecuted by the Department of Justice — aggressively target schemes billing Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE (a health insurance program for members and veterans of the armed forces and their families) for medically unnecessary prescription drugs and compounded medications that often were never even purchased and/or distributed to beneficiaries. The charges also involve individuals allegedly contributing to the opioid epidemic, with a particular focus on medical professionals involved in the unlawful distribution of opioids and other prescription narcotics, a particular focus for the Department. According to the CDC, approximately 91 Americans die every day of an opioid related overdose.
The Gov’t Has a Medicare Fraud Strike Force, Who Do You Have To Fight Against Them?
The Government has a Medicare Fraud Strike Force, a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. The Medicare Fraud Strike Force operates in nine locations nationwide. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force has charged over 3500 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for over $12.5 billion.
With resources and efforts like this employed by the federal Government, what is one to do when they are falsely implicated or improperly accused in a dragnet fashion of these crimes?
Health care fraud cases are among the most complex criminal cases to defend against and require an attorney with the requisite skills, knowledge, and experience in handling those types of cases. Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney Brent Mayr is a former prosecutor and experienced Texas criminal defense attorney with a number of acquittals, including in federal court, under his belt.  He is a member of the CJA Panel for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, a select group of the criminal defense attorneys in the district who federal judges turn to in times to assist represent individuals where conflicts of interest arise.  He can assist individuals like those charged today facing federal criminal charges alleging all forms of health care fraud. When it comes to being investigated for a criminal offense or facing criminal charges, obtaining strong, competent, and experienced representation can’t wait.  Contact Board Certified Attorney, Brent Mayr, by calling (713) 808-9613 or contact us online.