Every year the New York City Bureau of Fraud Investigation opens more than 5,000 investigations into individuals and families who receive Medicaid, Family Health Plus, and Child Health Plus benefits. All three of these programs are funded, at least in part, by Medicaid.
The investigations are designed to find out whether the people who are using these benefits are actually eligible to receive them.
The investigators are also trying to determine whether the individual or family committed fraud by providing false or misleading information on their applications and re-certifications.
The most common types of Medicaid recipient fraud are:
- Underreporting your income
- Failing to report all of your income, such as rent from tenants
- Failing to report a spouse’s income
- Not accurately disclosing your expenses
- Misrepresenting that you live in NYC when you actually live somewhere else
If the investigators determine that you have committed Medicaid fraud, then they have several options. First, they can ask you to pay back any benefits you received when you were not eligible. Second, they can refer your case for civil litigation. Third, they can refer your case for criminal prosecution.
What happens in your case depends on how you respond to the investigation.
If you have received a letter from an investigator with the Bureau of Fraud Investigation, then you should consult with an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer immediately to protect yourself.
To arrange a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.
John Howley, Esq.
350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor
New York, New York 10118
(212) 601-2728