Medicaid Application Fraud Can Send You To Prison

What To Do When The Bureau of Fraud Investigation Asks For Your Tax Returns

Every year, more than 5,000 families are investigated by the NYC Bureau of Fraud Investigation.  The investigations begin when investigators believe that you provided incorrect or incomplete information on an application for Medicaid or Family Health Plus benefits.

If the investigators find that you intentionally provided false or incomplete information, they can send your case to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution. 

The penalties can be severe.  If convicted of a felony, you could be sentenced to between one and seven years in prison.  Even if you are convicted of only a misdemeanor, you could be sent to jail for up to one year.

However, many cases are settled without any criminal charges at all.  The settlement usually involves paying back the value of any benefits you received when you were not eligible.  A settlement means no criminal charges, no criminal record, no imprisonment or fines, no impact on your credit report, and no adverse immigration action.

Why do some cases settle without any criminal charges, while other cases result in criminal convictions and prison sentences?  It all depends on how you handle the investigation.

Every situation is different.  Just keep in mind that anything you say to the investigator may be used against you.

If you are contacted by the Bureau of Fraud Investigation, you should consult with an experienced Medicaid and Family Health Plus fraud attorney.  Your lawyer can help you understand whether you have a problem, how severe the problem is, and the best strategy for resolving the investigation without criminal charges.

To arrange a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Medicaid and Family Health Plus fraud attorney, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728 or click here to reach our law offices via email.

John Howley, Esq.

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