In the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care fraud is definitely under the microscope, getting scrutiny from authorities and the public alike. Health care fraud casts a wide net and has done so for some time. The consequences are serious and problematic for the people accused of committing this crime. Its lasting effects may hinder your life for years to come.

Sometimes, people are desperate and make decisions that they wish they could take back. They may have struggles with money or struggles with addiction, leading them to unclear thinking, despair and plenty of worries. They may then take it upon themselves to pursue an action that ultimately may prove costly.

The many faces of health care fraud

An accusation of health care fraud can cost a medical professional his or her license, and, ultimately, harm their personal and professional reputations. Health care fraud encompasses many things and may include:

• Billing for services not rendered
• Providing unnecessary or erroneous services
• Treating non-covered services and billing them as covered under an insurance plan
• Overtreatment and providing excessive services
• The bribing of physicians
• Paying kickbacks to patient recruiters
• Pharmaceutical fraud
• The creation of false medical records
• Medicare and Medicaid fraud

It is crucial for health care professionals to adhere to respectable behavior and integrity. This can provide a long-lasting relationship with the community. However, sometimes, distractions surface, leading to entanglements that are difficult to overcome. If they do, it is a good idea to get legal advice.