Bellflower Medicare/Medi-Cal Fraud Defense Attorney
Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, business owner, billing professional, or healthcare employee, being accused of Medicare or Medi-Cal fraud can lead to serious problems. In a community like Bellflower, California, where healthcare regulations and billing requirements are strict and often confusing, even a small mistake or an allegation of a “pattern” in records can escalate into a criminal investigation that threatens your career, license, and future.
The good news? You don’t have to face these allegations alone. By hiring the right defense lawyer early, you can protect your rights, avoid damaging statements, and build a strategy that challenges the prosecution’s theory from the start.
If you’ve been arrested, contacted by investigators, served with a subpoena, or charged with Medicare or Medi-Cal fraud, the Bellflower Medicare/Medi-Cal fraud defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates are ready to help. With more than two decades of experience representing clients across Los Angeles County, we understand how these cases are built and how to fight back. Learn more about our law firm.
Office Nearby: Our office is located at 100 Oceangate, Suite 525, Long Beach, CA 90802, near W. Ocean Blvd and Queens Way. We’re a convenient drive from Bellflower via major routes such as Bellflower Blvd, Artesia Blvd, Lakewood Blvd, and nearby freeway access through I-605 and SR-91. Clients often come to us from areas near Simms Park, the Bellflower Civic Center, and shopping corridors along Artesia Blvd and Lakewood Blvd. Call 562-216-2944 or submit a contact form to discuss your case in greater detail.
Recent Review
“I was honored to have this firm represent me in my time of need. They were consistent with keeping me in the loop of everything going on, updates, and made me feel secure and comfortable when I was at my lowest. The firm has a great team and treated me with the utmost respect, not sugar coating anything but putting it all out on the table. Most of all they did not judge me. Thank you Mr. Perry for your support and service.”
What Is Medicare/Medi-Cal Fraud?
Medicare and Medi-Cal are government-funded healthcare programs. Medicare is federal coverage for qualifying seniors and individuals with disabilities. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program designed to provide coverage for qualifying low-income individuals and families.
Fraud allegations generally involve a claim that someone intentionally falsified information to obtain payments or benefits they weren’t entitled to. The key word is intentionally—because many cases begin as billing disputes, documentation questions, or audits that investigators decide to interpret as criminal conduct.
Examples of allegations that may lead to Medicare/Medi-Cal fraud charges include:
- Billing for services not provided: Submitting claims for procedures or visits that never occurred.
- Overbilling: Charging for more expensive services than what was actually performed.
- Upcoding: Using billing codes that make a service appear more complex than it was.
- Kickbacks: Receiving (or offering) something of value in exchange for referrals.
- Falsifying patient records: Altering notes, creating records, or “cloning” documentation to support claims.
These allegations can involve doctors, nurses, therapists, clinics, home health providers, pharmacies, DME providers, office managers, and billing staff. Importantly, being accused does not mean you’re guilty and these cases often have a lot of context the government does not see (or does not want to see).
Where Medicare/Medi-Cal Investigations Often Begin Around Bellflower
Many healthcare fraud cases start quietly. You may first notice warning signs when:
- You receive a request for records or an audit notice
- Investigators ask for an interview or “just want to clear something up”
- A clinic or business receives a subpoena
- A managed care plan flags a billing pattern
- A former employee, patient, or competitor makes a complaint
In Bellflower, healthcare-related businesses and professional offices operate along busy corridors like Artesia Blvd, Bellflower Blvd, Lakewood Blvd, Alondra Blvd, and Rosecrans Ave. Because these routes see constant traffic and commerce, investigations may involve claims tied to patient volume, referral relationships, treatment frequency, or documentation practices across multiple dates.
If an investigator contacts you especially if they want a recorded statement or interview, it’s wise to speak with counsel first. Early statements can be misinterpreted, quoted out of context, or used to support an “intent” theory.
Why Are Medicare/Medi-Cal Fraud Charges Serious?
Medicare and Medi-Cal fraud are treated aggressively by state and federal authorities because the programs involve taxpayer funds and vulnerable patients. Prosecutors often assume that “billing irregularities” equal wrongdoing, and the consequences can be severe.
If you’re charged with Medicare or Medi-Cal fraud, you could be facing:
- Misdemeanor or felony charges
- Jail or prison time
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution (repayment of alleged losses)
- Professional licensing consequences (investigations, discipline, suspension, or revocation)
- Damage to your reputation in the community and within your profession
Even if the case never goes to trial, the mere existence of an investigation can jeopardize employment, credentialing, contracts, and professional standing.
What Prosecutors Must Prove in a Fraud Case
Healthcare fraud cases often come down to evidence and interpretation. Prosecutors typically try to prove:
- A false or misleading claim or statement was submitted
- You knew it was false or misleading
- You acted with intent to defraud
That third element, intent, is where many cases are won or lost. Billing errors, unclear policies, documentation gaps, or disputes over coding are not automatically criminal fraud. Your defense should focus on context, workflow reality, authorization, and what the records truly show (not what an investigator assumes).
Why You Need a Bellflower Medicare/Medi-Cal Fraud Defense Attorney
If you’re facing these allegations, hiring an experienced Bellflower Medicare/Medi-Cal fraud defense attorney is one of the most important steps you can take. These cases are complex, document-heavy, and often driven by data analysis that can be misleading without proper context.
At our firm, we can help by:
- Reviewing the timeline of audits, billing activity, and investigator actions
- Analyzing records and communications to identify context and lawful explanations
- Challenging weak assumptions about what certain codes or notes “must” mean
- Examining how evidence was obtained, including subpoena scope and search procedures
- Identifying alternative explanations, such as clerical errors, software issues, or staff actions
- Building defenses based on lack of intent, authorization, or unreliable investigative methods
- Negotiating strategically when appropriate to reduce exposure and protect your future
Your defense may involve issues such as:
- Faulty billing systems or software errors
- Training gaps or unclear internal policies
- Shared access to systems that makes attribution unreliable
- Legitimate medical necessity that was poorly documented (not fabricated)
- Third-party billing mistakes (or actions taken without your knowledge)
- Coercion or pressure from business partners or supervisors
A careful, early defense can prevent small problems from becoming bigger ones and can position you for the best possible outcome.
Contact Our Bellflower Medicare/Medi-Cal Fraud Defense Attorney
If you’ve been charged with Medicare or Medi-Cal fraud or you believe you may be under investigation, don’t wait. Early legal action can protect your rights, reduce risk, and help you avoid missteps that prosecutors may later use against you.
Ready to speak with a lawyer? Contact The Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates for a confidential consultation. Call 562-216-2944 or fill out our contact form today. We’re here to help.
