Defending Doctors Against Accusations of Taking Illegal Kickbacks in Federal Court
Federal Anti-Kickback Laws
“Things gained through unjust fraud are never secure.”
Federal Criminal Anti-Kickback Law
Doctors and other health care professionals often have to practice under the microscope of the Federal Government. Unlike many other businesses, a doctor is not allowed to request compensation for a referral of a patient. It is a crime, per 42 USC §1320a-7b, in the Eastern District of Michigan for a doctor to take anything of value for a patient referral. The goal of this law is apparently to prevent corruption in the practice of medicine. Basically the Government believes that doctors wouldn’t refer their patients to the best doctors if they were getting a kickback for that referral.
Taking a Kickback is a Serious Federal Crime
Regardless of the soundness of the Government’s reasoning in the Federal Anti-Kickback statute, the fact remains that a violation of this federal criminal law can result in a federal prison sentence of up to ten years, plus hefty fines.
Physicians in Michigan Must be Diligent About Accepting Things of Value from Fellow Doctors
Doctors and other health care professionals in Southeast Michigan have to be extremely careful about the Federal Anti-Kickback law because the law itself includes much more than a financial kickback. For example, if a doctor gets a reduced rate on their office, this could potentially be considered an illegal kickback.
Medical Professionals Facing Federal Charges Need to Hire Experienced Michigan Federal Criminal Lawyers
If you are reading this page and you are a health care professional who is accused of violating the Federal Anti-Kickback statute, give us a call today and let’s figure out how to get you out of this.