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When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
Healthcare Fraud Defense Attorney
Healthcare fraud is a serious federal crime that has substantial penalties. Both individuals and corporations can be prosecuted in healthcare fraud cases. Because the realm of healthcare fraud is expansive, it is important to understand what constitutes healthcare fraud and how a healthcare fraud attorney may successfully defend you against the charges you face. Because of the unique nuances of these cases, the expertise of a criminal defense attorney who specializes in healthcare fraud is essential.
Understanding Healthcare Fraud
A healthcare fraud crime occurs when an individual or an entity attempts to defraud a healthcare benefits program or when a fraud plan is successfully executed. To be classified as healthcare fraud, the individual or entity must engage in the plan knowingly and willfully. The umbrella of healthcare fraud crimes is expansive, and the crimes may target health insurance companies, Medicaid, Medicare and others. Those who engage in the fraud may include medical billing services, physicians’ offices, hospitals, patients and more.
Some of the many examples of healthcare fraud include falsifying dates of service, waiving co-payments and deductibles, misrepresenting the need for services, buying back prescription drugs, reporting services or procedures incorrectly, billing for drugs or services that were not actually provided to the patients and more. Keep in mind that healthcare fraud can be prosecuted as a federal crime, and it may be pursued in civil courts as well.
Healthcare Fraud Penalties
In many cases, a defendant is aware of the investigation well before charges are filed. Your experienced criminal defense attorney should be involved in the case as soon as you learn of the healthcare fraud investigation. This is because the attorney will work to ensure that your rights are protected during searches, through questioning and more. While many cases may be settled through a plea bargain, others are tried in court. Defendants who are convicted of violating the False Claims Act could be responsible for up to $250,000 in fines and up to life in prison. Be aware, however, that the dollar amount of the alleged fraud will directly impact the fines that are imposed in a specific case.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
In addition to the punishments, there are other consequences of a plea bargain or a guilty verdict. In such cases, accused physicians and medical offices may be required to close their practice. This level of impact may apply to other types of defendants as well in different ways because of the severity of the charges. Some additional consequences that may impact some defendants are Medicare exclusion, the loss of a DEA registration, the loss of a state license, staff credentialing actions, denial of insurance billing privileges and more.
Healthcare Fraud Defense Strategies Defense strategies for healthcare fraud begin well before the trial stage. For example, an attorney may attempt to prove that select communications are privileged and should not be taken into account in discovery. A claim of conspiracy or lack of intent may be used at this stage when electronic communications are reviewed.
During the trial, a criminal defense attorney may utilize one or several major defense strategies. These include challenging how statistical data is analyzed, challenging testimonies, selecting the jurors strategically, using various medical experts, citing contradictory information in various standards of care and guidelines, using character witnesses and more.
In some instances, defense attorneys representing different individuals will pool their resources to present a strategic, comprehensive defense. There is not a single defense strategy that works well in all cases. Instead, the attorneys must come together to collectively build the strongest defense possible to target each specific area of the prosecution’s case.
Request a Legal Consultation Today
A conviction of healthcare fraud has extensive consequences regardless of the nature of the charges. These cases are often complex and require expertise in detailed matters and of the complicated healthcare system as a whole. With these factors in mind, professional representation from a seasoned criminal defense attorney with specific experience in healthcare fraud is essential. If you have recently become aware of a developing investigation against you or if charges have already been brought against you, your next step should be to hire a healthcare fraud defense attorney. To request a detailed consultation, email or call the office today.
In recent years, the federal government has been cracking down on healthcare fraud, particularly among physicians. As a result, more and more physicians are finding themselves under investigation by the federal government. In these cases, it is crucial for physicians to hire a federal criminal defense attorney to protect their rights and reputation.
One high-profile example of a physician facing federal investigation is Dr. Farid Fata, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison in 2015 for administering unnecessary chemotherapy to patients. In this case, a federal criminal defense attorney would have been crucial in helping Dr. Fata navigate the complex legal system and defend himself against the charges.
Another example is Dr. Meera Sachdeva, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2016 for administering unnecessary treatments and procedures to patients, resulting in millions of dollars in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid. A federal criminal defense attorney would have been able to provide expert guidance and representation in this case, potentially leading to a more favorable outcome for the physician.
In both of these cases, the physicians were able to avoid harsh sentences and protect their reputations by hiring experienced federal criminal defense attorneys. It is crucial for any physician facing federal investigation to do the same, as the consequences of a conviction can be severe, including loss of medical license, imprisonment, and significant financial penalties.
Hiring a federal criminal defense attorney can also help physicians avoid being charged in the first place. An attorney with experience in healthcare fraud cases can provide guidance on compliance with federal regulations, and help identify and address any potential issues before they become major problems.
Overall, it is clear that physicians facing federal investigation should not take the matter lightly. Hiring a federal criminal defense attorney is essential in protecting their rights, reputation, and livelihood. By choosing an experienced and knowledgeable attorney, physicians can increase their chances of a favorable outcome and avoid the severe consequences of a conviction.
