medicare fraud attorney brownsville

Health Care Fraud

If you know of health care fraud, contact us safely and confidentially to take action and make things right.

One area The Barerra Law Firm services is health care fraud. We represent the taxpayers when a person is committing fraud against the government. What is health care fraud? Health care fraud is when a health care agency, a doctors clinic, a home hospice, a nursing home, a psychiatrist, a chiropractor, anybody is making a claim to the government for compensation on behalf of another and that claim is false.

Some types of health care provider fraud have to do with unnecessary billing, unnecessary treatment, false billing or providing a basic false picture to the government for so-called services which were never rendered and false claims have been submitted.

If an individual suspects fraud within whatever area they work in, they should come to my law office and we will inform them of what their rights are concerning reporting this on behalf of the taxpayers. One of the things that they would need to have is information or evidence to show that false claims have been provided to the government on behalf of the health care industry.

They should bring that information to The Barrera Law Firm and we will evaluate that claim so that that person can then be a party to a lawsuit on behalf of the taxpayers against that health care provider that is bringing the false claims.

The Barrera Law Firm in Harlingen provides legal services to Harlingen, Brownsville, McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley. Legal services offered include: divorce law, personal injury (such as auto or 18-wheeler accident), wrongful death, criminal defense, and civil rights actions.

Medicaid Fraud Settlement Results in Millions to Texas

A recent success in combating Texas Medicaid fraud will result in $72 million being returned to the state.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office charged Par Pharmaceutical Inc., based in New Jersey, and three other drug manufacturers with defrauding the state’s Medicaid program by improperly reporting drug prices.

Because the defendants provided inaccurate market prices for their drugs, the Medicaid program over-reimbursed pharmacies for Par’s products.

Under the agreement, Par must pay $154 million to resolve enforcement actions filed by Texas and four other states.

Read the full article here.

Common Types of Medicaid and Medicare Fraud

Sadly we live in a day when some of those that are supposed to be keeping us in health instead take risks with our health for their own personal gain. While most physicians and clinics are free from Medicaid and Medicare fraud, there are many that use patients in order to gain access to these funds, and in doing so risk the health and safety not only of their own patients but also of others who depend on these funds for actual health issues. There are many ways in which Medicare and Medicaid fraud can occur, and knowing how to spot these crimes will help you from falling victim to them.

  1. Billing fraud. Billing fraud is one of the most common abuses of the Medicare/Medicaid system. There are many different scams that are perpetrated. One is billing for services that were never rendered, either by using genuine patient information, identity theft, padding real claims with false information or simply by fabricating entire claims altogether. Billing fraud is rarely committed by one person. All those who knowingly participate in billing fraud can be held liable. Reporting this type of fraud will prevent you from being found financially responsible for the theft.
  2. Falsification of patient diagnosis. Another type of Medicare/Medicaid fraud is the falsification of patient records, including tests and exams, in order to justify surgeries, treatments, procedures or drug regiments. As a patient, nurse or loved one, it is important to carefully check the information you are given to ensure that a proper diagnosis has been given. Falsification of patient records that leads to unnecessary procedures can cause serious damage and even death to these victims. Convincing patients that they have a life threatening condition that must be treated by some medical procedure is both unethical and unlawful and these physicians need to be reported for health care fraud.
  3. Unbundling of procedures. Medical procedures often require multiple steps. Typically, these steps are bundled into one cost instead of being billed separately. Unscrupulous physicians will sometimes have their accountants bill each step separately instead of in a bundle as it is supposed to be. Unbundling means that the doctor or clinic will receive much more money for the service than is deserved, and fewer funds are left over for other work.
  4. Kickback fraud. We have all heard of kickback fraud, but do you know how pervasive it actually is? Pharmaceutical companies wine and dine doctors and clinics, offering substantial kickbacks to those who push their prescription drugs. When these drugs are actually necessary for a real medical condition and result in a bettering of a condition for the patient, then no harm is done. However, all too often physicians write prescriptions for drugs which have absolutely nothing to do with the patients condition simply to take advantage of kickbacks. As well, if patients must return to the doctor month after month for a prescription refill, they profit off the charge of each office visit. Kickback fraud can be dangerous because often the drugs prescribed cause harmful side effects in patients, some even leading to death.

Dangers of Medicaid and Medicare Fraud

If you are aware of Medicaid or Medicare fraud, call The Barrera Law Firm

It is an unfortunate system we find ourselves in today, when the institutions of medicine we entrust with our health commit fraud in order to gain access to government funds. Medicaid and Medicare fraud is rampant in America, and the ramifications effect society at multiple levels. You may become aware of Medicaid or Medicare fraud being committed either as a patient or as a health care professional. Due to the inherent dangers of medicaid and Medicare fraud, it is important for it to be reported to authorities through the proper channels with the aid of a lawyer.

  1. Medicare fraud is harmful to the elderly. Medicare is supposed to be available for those of our society who are 65 and older. Often times, the elderly have health problems or complications that can stick them with medical bills that are financially unable to pay. Medicare fraud, or the funneling of Medicare funds to those who don’t really need it, means that these funds aren’t available for the elderly patients who need them to survive.
  2. Can result in the wrongful diagnosis of disease. Too often, medicare professionals diagnose an illness too quickly and prescribe medication to patients in order to get a hold of Medicare funds. For example, in Texas, unscrupulous psychiatrists often take advantage of children from low income families by convincing the family that their child has a psychological illness that must be treated by them and their prescription drugs. More often than not, the wrongful diagnosis actually prevents the real issue, if there even is one, from being discovered. These children often end up suffering permanent damage from the treatment. As a health care worker who is witness to this type of fraud, you can be held liable in a lawsuit if you do not report it.
  3. Results in wrongful healthcare statistics. Many science studies today depend on data from reports filed by physicians. When patients are misdiagnosed by deceitful physicians trying to access Medicare and Medicaid funds, the data reported to health agencies results in a skewed view of the actual health of the nation. Since these statistics are used by lawmakers and those who direct policies regarding public health, wrongful diagnosis by those knowingly committing health care fraud actually has nationwide ramifications.
  4. Drugging of the elderly in nursing homes. One of the most types of Medicare and Medicaid fraud is the drugging of the elderly in nursing homes. These are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Nursing homes often time receive kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies for prescribing powerful anti-psychotic drugs to the elderly, whether they need them or not. Oftentimes, these drugs lead to other complications and even an early death to their users. If you are a private citizen or health care worker who is witness to this type of action taking place, you have a lawful and moral obligation to report it to the proper authorities. A law firm specializing in Medicare and Medicaid fraud can guide you on a correct course of action.

Are Whistleblowers Stopped from Reporting Fraud by Non- Disclosure Agreements?

In general, non-disclosure agreements do not effectively silence whistleblowers who would report a fraud designed to bilk government health programs under certain circumstances. In fact, there is strong public policy in favor of protecting whistleblowers who report fraud against the government. However, the Court will consider the scope and the volume of the documents that are taken in making its consideration as well as many other factors in order to determine that the whistleblower acted reasonably and did not conduct extra judiciary discovery.

In fact, the American Psychiatric Association required its task force members for the new Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5 (DSM 5) to execute a non-disclosure agreement, which essentially eliminated transparency. The DSM is the psychiatric catalog of mental illnesses which has grown to over 370 mental illnesses in its latest rendition, including dubious diagnoses such as reading disorder, disorder of written expression, mathematics disorder and caffeine intoxication disorder. Each named disorder is coded for government and private insurance billing purposes.

The interesting part about that is that each member of the 27-person DSM-5 task force, those writing and editing the manual, had to sign a non-disclosure agreement and that 69% of those task force members had ties to the pharmaceutical industry, which arguably can be seen to load the deck for voting purposes.

Unfortunately, the DSM 5 task force made it is easier than ever to diagnose many people with a mental disorder due to the broad categories now available and suspect “illnesses” such as internet gaming addiction, binge eating and caffeine withdrawal. The taxpayer is going to be shelling out big bucks for pharmaceuticals and mental health “treatment” for these things, straining an already overburdened health care system.

Whistleblowers may be entitled to a portion of the recovery of any found to be part of a scheme to defraud government health programs.

It is necessary that an attorney that is competent to advise whistleblowers be utilized early in the reporting of fraud when a non-disclosure agreement is employed so that the information may be effectively employed and the whistleblower may be effectively protected.

Whistleblower Alert: Did Drug Companies Knowingly Design Certain ADD and ADHD Drugs to be Addictive?

Certain ADD and ADHD Schedule II Drugs contain combinations of amphetamine salts. Many individuals taking these develop a strong dependence on the drug, or more importantly, on the amphetamine effect that is caused by the drug. Withdrawal from these drugs may be extremely difficult.

Guidelines exist under Good Clinical Practice (GCP) as to ethical practices regarding the R&D of new drugs. Conflicts of interests and misleading statements to the government are prohibited. However, individuals having knowledge of any wrongdoing in R&D may feel intimidated to report questionable activity because of waivers and confidentiality agreements.

Whistleblowers are generally compensated for providing evidence of fraud on government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and TriCare. A private attorney may assist a whistleblower to prepare a complaint on behalf of either or both the federal and state government so that funds may be recovered and the government has an opportunity to intervene. Cases are filed under seal and are highly confidential. Complex rules exist that regulate the conduct of whistleblowers.

Do You Have Grounds for a Qui Tam Whistleblower Case?

The law allows a private citizen to file suit against another individual or company who is filing false bills or claims to state and/or the federal government.  The law also provides protection to those who are “demoted, suspended, threatened or harassed” for those acts done in reference to actions related to blowing the whistle on the fraud.

According to recent government audits, as much as 10% of Medicare charges are fraudulent.  Some common examples of Medicare/Medicaid fraud include:

  • billing more than once for the same service
  • kicking back money or items of value for ordering drugs or equipment
  • charging for services not performed
  • billing for expensive equipment and providing cheaper equipment instead

In 1986, the government gave the statute more teeth and made it easier for people to bring suit against offenders. Since that time, the government has recovered over $2 billion in fraudulently gotten funds and paid out approximately $340 million to whistleblowers.

Contact The Barrera Law Firm, PC at 956 428 2822 for assistance as to your rights as a whistleblower, how you put forth a claim for recovery and additional advice as to whether there are any criminal implications in your claim.

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