NYC Medicaid Application Fraud Criminal Charges

New York City is cracking down on false statements on applications for Medicaid and Family Health Plus benefits.  Many applicants are being charged with serious crimes including felonies.  

It is now more important than ever to treat a Medicaid fraud investigation seriously.

​Most Medicaid fraud criminal cases fall into one of the following categories:

• under-reporting your income on a Medicaid application or recertification form;
• failing to stop benefits after you get a new job with higher pay;
• continuing to receive NYC health insurance benefits after you move outside the City;
• failing to disclose income from a business or rental property;
• having expenses such as rent, a mortgage, or car payments that are inconsistent with your reported income.

If you received health insurance benefits worth at least $3,000 (which is typical if you received benefits for at least one year), the charges against you may include Class D Felonies, such as Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree.  If convicted on either charge, you could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison.  

You may also be charged with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree.  This is a Class E Felony and carries a possible sentence of up to four years in prison.

It is very important to consult with an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer as soon as you learn of an investigation.  The best results can usually be achieved if you get a lawyer involved immediately when you receive a letter or phone call from the Bureau of Fraud Investigations.  By meeting with the investigator early in the process, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a settlement and avoid criminal charges.

To schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Medicaid fraud lawyer, call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728.