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Why You Might Need a Medicaid Fraud Attorney

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Why you might need a medicaid fraud attorney

Medicaid is the U.S. government’s health insurance program for the poor. Medicaid is a bloated, bureaucratic program with a lot of complicated rules, which makes it rife with fraud, both intentional and unintentional. The government takes a dim view of fraud and will prosecute people accused of it. Here are some reasons you might face Medicaid fraud charges and need a medicaid fraud lawyer.

Unintentional fraud

A lot of the fraud that occurs in the Medicaid program is unintentional. Eligibility for the program is based on financial and family status, and any change to those could change eligibility. For example, if you get a promotion at work that comes with a raise, it could bump your income above the threshold for Medicaid eligibility. In another situation, you might lose custody of a child, therefore making you ineligible for Medicaid. In these cases, a Medicaid lawyer can help you negotiate restitution with the government and avoid criminal charges. In these cases, the government simply wants its money back and doesn’t want to put someone who has simply made a mistake in jail.

Intentional fraud

Intentional Medicaid fraud can take many forms. A person might misrepresent his salary and assets to appear eligible for Medicaid. Doctors sometimes engage in Medicaid fraud by billing for phantom patients or for medicines that are never given out or for procedures not performed. In cases of intentional fraud, a Medicaid fraud lawyer can help you negotiate the charges down to the absolute minimum possible and keep you out of jail or keep your incarceration to a minimum.