When is the best time to contact an attorney if I suspect I am under investigation?

The minute you become aware that you or your company are under investigation, you should contact a qualified healthcare attorney who specializes in criminal healthcare fraud. Early intervention is critical because the best outcome is avoiding charges entirely, which prevents unwanted publicity and damage to your reputation and business.

What is the primary goal of conducting a defense or internal investigation?

The primary goal of our defense or internal investigation is to eliminate liability and minimize any potential damage to your or your company’s reputation. We aim to thoroughly prepare your case and protect your ability to continue doing business.

What happens during the "Factual Investigation" phase of your process?

During this phase, we conduct a complete investigation of the facts surrounding any allegations of fraud, abuse, or regulatory noncompliance. Because evidence is the lifeblood of any investigation, we utilize specialized private investigators to gather facts, collect relevant documents, and conduct witness interviews. We also consult with medical, policy, and billing/coding experts specific to your provider type.

How do you handle communications and present my defense to the authorities?

The final component of our process is the Defense Case Presentation. After developing a legal defense strategy and a corrective action plan, we create a presentation for the prosecuting authority designed to mitigate criminal, civil, or administrative liability. We will personally meet with the prosecutor in an effort to fiercely protect your interests.

Defense Investigations

The best outcome is the case that never happens.

Becoming the target of a healthcare fraud investigation is serious business. The best outcome would be to avoid being charged and, in the process, prevent all unwanted publicity and damage to your reputation and your business. The minute you become aware that you or your company are under investigation is when you should contact a qualified healthcare attorney who specializes in criminal healthcare fraud.

Vitale, Suarez & Associates, P.A. has been representing clients under investigation for more than three decades. Drawing on foundational experience from institutional leadership, including former prosecutorial insight, our firm understands what government investigators look for and how to best prepare should you become the target of an investigation. In response to a government inquiry, our firm conducts a comprehensive defense or internal investigation. The goal is to eliminate liability and minimize any potential damage to your reputation and your ability to continue doing business.

Our firm represents clients under investigation by a wide range of state and federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Attorney’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, State Attorney’s Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), and the Medicare Fraud Task Force, as well as professional licensing boards and other enforcement entities.

50+ Years of Expertise in Healthcare Law and Compliance

Strategic Legal Solutions for Healthcare Providers

A Defense or Internal investigation
consists of four distinct components

Factual Investigation: Our firm will conduct a complete investigation of the facts surrounding allegations of fraud, abuse or regulatory noncompliance. The lifeblood of any investigation is evidence. If there isn’t enough evidence, then an investigation can die on the vine. Our firm utilizes specialized private investigators to gather facts, collect relevant documents, and conduct witness interviews. Our firm consults with and retains experts including medical experts, Medicare/Medicaid policy experts, billing and coding documentation experts and other experts specializing in your provider type.

Legal Investigation: Our firm will conduct a legal investigation to identify any laws, rules or policies which are alleged to have been violated.

Defense Development: Our firm specializes in identifying and developing defenses and explanations to the allegations under investigation. We develop a legal defense strategy and our firm will create a corrective action plan to identify and correct any perceived violations.

Defense Case Presentation to Enforcement Authorities: Our firm will develop a defense case presentation to the prosecuting authority. The presentation is designed to mitigate criminal, civil or administrative liability. We will meet with the prosecutor in an effort to protect your interests.