Doctors, medical personnel and healthcare administrators must follow specific rules, as is the operation of a medical practice, medical facility and hospital. There are aspects of managing a medical facility, including filing claims on behalf of patients, which are subject to federal law and state law and regulations.
Any company or person who receives payments from the U.S. government is subject to the federal False Claims Act. In addition, Texas has its own laws and regulations that medical professionals must abide by.
If accused of filing false claims, consider taking the following steps:
- Gather all the information you have and ensure that any paperwork or evidence in your office is in a safe place. You may need it and want to have it handy just in case.
- Become knowledgeable about the applicable laws and regulations. At this point, you may want to contact an experienced legal professional in this area of the law.
- Do not respond to demands without consulting an expert who can advocate for you. The individuals or organizations who will investigate your case will not necessarily be fair to you. You need to protect yourself.
- Know that accusations of this type are common, and many are resolved in the practitioner’s favor.
An accusation of false claims is scary and can seem overwhelming, especially if you run your private practice.
Remember that you are not alone and that there are experienced professionals who understand what you are going through and know how to guide you through the process. You do not have to go through this process alone.
Please note: Attorney John Rivas is responsible for this communication.