Houston Healthcare Fraud Defense Lawyers
Facing such healthcare fraud charges can threaten your professional life, reputation and personal freedom. It can also lead to serious criminal penalties. Our team at Cogdell Law Firm, including the renowned trial attorney Dan Cogdell, has dedicated over 40 years to defending healthcare professionals across Texas, including Houston, North Texas and East Texas. Our practice has a strong history of impressive case results, and we are known for our ability to handle complex, federal-level healthcare fraud defense cases.
Our firm and attorney Cogdell have been at the forefront of healthcare fraud defense, garnering attention from major media outlets such as The Texas Tribune and Texas Monthly, and appearing on national news channels. Attorney Cogdell’s reputation as a formidable trial lawyer makes him a sought-after advocate for those facing serious legal challenges in the healthcare sector.
Understanding The Penalties For Healthcare Fraud In Texas
Healthcare fraud charges can lead to severe consequences. Recognizing the potential penalties early is crucial in forming an effective defense strategy. With a healthcare fraud defense attorney from Cogdell Law Firm, you have a fighting chance to protect your career and future.
Our team is well-versed in the nuances of healthcare law and defense tactics that can help minimize or avoid the following penalties:
- Jail time
- Steep fines
- Probation
- Exclusion from federal health programs
- Forfeiture of assets
The civil repercussions of healthcare fraud, such as the loss of medical licenses and irreparable damage to your professional reputation, can be just as devastating. Our attorneys work tirelessly to defend your rights and strive to prevent these penalties from dismantling what you have built over your career.
Factors That Influence Penalties
Not every fraud case has the same punishment. Several things make penalties for healthcare fraud much more severe. A judge looks closely at factors like:
- Large monetary losses: The total dollar amount of the alleged fraud heavily influences the sentence. The bigger the fraud, the worse the penalty.
- Involvement of vulnerable patients: If the scheme harmed or targeted elderly or disabled people, the punishment would be much harsher.
- Use of sophisticated means: Using complex or hard-to-uncover methods to commit the fraud makes the crime look much worse to a court.
- Leadership role in the scheme: If you directed or organized the fraudulent activities, you face a much longer sentence than someone who only followed orders.
- Obstruction of justice: Trying to hide or destroy evidence during an investigation increases the penalty.
When you are facing federal charges, you may also face trouble from the state of Texas. You must be ready for both.
State-Level Penalties
In addition to federal penalties, healthcare professionals may face prosecution under the Texas Penal Code. State law penalties may include:
- Fines that can total hundreds of thousands of dollars
- Imprisonment in a state jail or prison
- Mandatory repayment to the state or victims
How Healthcare Fraud Charges Affect Your Professional License
A healthcare fraud charge puts your career at risk. The professional consequences can be just as severe as the criminal penalties.
Federal and state authorities have broad power to act against licensed professionals. The following consequences can apply to physicians, pharmacists, nurses, practice owners and healthcare executives:
- License suspension: State licensing boards can suspend your license during an active investigation or prosecution, preventing you from seeing patients or filling prescriptions.
- License revocation: A healthcare fraud conviction can result in permanent license revocation, ending your ability to practice.
- Exclusion from Medicaid: State agencies can separately exclude you from Medicaid. A Medicaid exclusion typically follows a Medicare exclusion and compounds the financial damage.
- Exclusion from Medicare: The Office of Inspector General (OIG) can exclude you from the Medicare program. Any employer or business partner that continues working with you after exclusion faces its own federal exposure.
These consequences are common and can be permanent. Acting before prosecutors file charges gives you the best chance of protecting your career.
What To Do If You Are Under Investigation
If officials contact you, act quickly and calmly. Preserve records, stop communicating about the matter with others and call our team. Attorney Dan Cogdell will review your situation, explain your options and represent you in talks with investigators. Contact us as soon as possible so we can protect your rights and your career.
How We Defend Healthcare Professionals Facing Federal Fraud Charges
Cogdell Law Firm defends healthcare professionals and executives in complex federal fraud cases. We engage at every stage, from the first sign of an investigation to the courtroom.
Federal healthcare fraud defense requires a focused, strategic approach. We provide:
- Early intervention: We engage before prosecutors file charges. Acting early gives us the best opportunity to shape the outcome of an investigation.
- Responding to subpoenas: We guide your response to grand jury subpoenas and document requests to protect your rights at every step.
- Internal investigations: We conduct privileged internal investigations to assess your full exposure and build a defense strategy based on the complete picture.
- Negotiating with prosecutors: We work directly with federal prosecutors to pursue favorable outcomes, including declinations, reduced charges or negotiated resolutions.
- Trial defense: When a case goes to trial, we bring a record of high-profile courtroom success to your defense.
Federal healthcare fraud cases are serious. You deserve a defense team with the experience and the record to fight them.
Let Cogdell Law Firm Protect Your Future
Do not let healthcare fraud charges ruin your life and career. Contact Cogdell Law Firm today by calling 713-426-2244 or filling out our online contact form. Our team is ready to provide the aggressive defense you need to navigate these challenging times. Let us help you secure a future where your professional integrity remains intact.