Federal prosecutors are aggressively pursuing health care fraud cases, as demonstrated by a recent historic takedown involving over $14.6 billion in fraudulent claims. The U.S. Department of Justice has called its largest coordinated health care fraud operation, more than 320 individuals, including nearly 100 licensed medical professionals, have been charged in schemes involving false billing, kickbacks, and identity theft. If you’re under investigation or have been charged with health care fraud, you need a federal criminal defense attorney who understands the stakes and the complexity of these cases.
Health care fraud encompasses a wide range of activities, including billing for services not provided, falsifying patient records, using stolen patient data to file false claims, and engaging in kickback arrangements. In the DOJ’s most recent sweep, authorities uncovered a $10 billion scheme involving urinary catheters, where criminal networks used stolen identities and confidential medical information to exploit Medicare. Prosecutors are increasingly targeting not just individual providers but entire networks and foreign actors alleged to be operating sophisticated fraud rings.
Nineteen defendants have been charged as part of that investigation — which authorities dubbed Operation Gold Rush — including four people arrested in Estonia and seven people arrested at U.S. airports and at the border with Mexico, prosecutors said. The scheme involved the stolen identities and personal information of more than one million Americans, according to the Justice Department.
The consequences of a health care fraud conviction are severe: years in federal prison, massive fines, asset forfeiture, loss of professional licenses, and irreparable damage to your reputation. The government has vast resources at its disposal, including cooperation from agencies like the FBI, HHS-OIG, and IRS-CI. Once you are charged—or even approached for questioning—you need immediate legal counsel to protect your rights, preserve your professional standing, and begin crafting a strong, strategic defense.
Whether you are a physician, clinic administrator, billing specialist, or supplier under scrutiny, you deserve a defense attorney who knows how to navigate the federal system. Dhar Law brings deep experience in challenging the government’s evidence, questioning investigative methods, and negotiating favorable outcomes. Our firm understands both the legal and technical dimensions of complex billing systems, health data security, and federal regulations governing Medicare and Medicaid.
If you or your business is facing health care fraud allegations, don’t wait. Contact our office today for a confidential consultation. We’re here to defend your freedom, your livelihood, and your future. Health care fraud is one of the most serious types of fraud due to its potential for bodily harm and impact on taxpayers and other policyholders. Even if you believe you have not done something that deserves serious punishment, it’s important to retain a skilled criminal defense attorney immediately if you have been accused of healthcare fraud. If you are concerned about an accusation of healthcare fraud that may result in serious consequences, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced healthcare fraud attorneys at Dhar Law, LLP today at (617) 880-6155.
