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Articles 2015 January FBI Miami Division Responds to Trends in Health Care Fraud
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FBI Miami Division Responds to Trends in Health Care Fraud

Posted By Rothman and Associates || 14-Jan-2015

Robust Senior Populations & Crime

South Florida is among the most lucrative areas in the nation for those seeking to profit from health care fraud, identity theft and other types of crime that are more likely to be committed in localities with a robust senior population. Of course, this means that law enforcement organizations are more likely to target South Florida in crackdowns on these types of offenses.

Michael Steinbach, special agent in charge with the FBI Miami Division recently sat down with the Sun Sentinel and detailed some recent data pertaining to health care fraud and other growing law enforcement concerns in the Miami area.

Dozens of FBI health care fraud cases led to convictions in Miami last year

The Miami Division is the fifth largest FBI division in the nation. It employs around 800 workers who investigate crimes between Fort Pierce and Key West.

Last year, cases built by the Miami Division of the FBI led to 157 convictions for health care fraud. According to comments agent Steinbach made to the Sun Sentinel, Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties are "victim rich environments" because the area has "the demographics the fraudsters like: an aged population and a lot of people on Medicare."

The FBI is not the only organization that is taking steps to crack down on health care fraud in the Miami area. The Senior Medicare Patrol program is an organized effort that recruits members of the public to reach potential victims and others who may be in positions to recognize and report health care fraud. Throughout Florida, there are 138 Senior Medicare Patrol volunteers, including a dozen in Miami-Dade County alone. In 2013, the volunteers reached 62,816 individuals, leading to 788 calls to their reporting hotline that could be traced directly to a Senior Medicare Patrol presentation.

While health care fraud is particularly prevalent in South Florida, there are many other types of crime that are also receiving heightened attention from law enforcement authorities. For instance, the Miami Division of the FBI reported 73 arrests last year for identity theft or tax return fraud. The office was also credited with responsibility for 40 securities fraud convictions in 2013. In a recent example of a large scale bust in an emerging area of criminal activity, 22 individuals were charged in Miami-Dade County in early February in connection to an insurance fraud investigation.

Charged with healthcare fraud or another offense?

Crimes like health care fraud, identity theft and insurance fraud typically do not involve a ski mask or a gun. But, do not assume this means they are taken less seriously by police and prosecutors in South Florida. On the contrary, the growing popularity of these types of crimes has translated into a string of crackdowns and harsh sentences.

If you have been accused of committing health care fraud or another offense, it is imperative to take proactive steps to ensure you stage a strong legal defense. You should get in touch with an attorney experienced in defending your type of case as early in the process as possible.

Contact a Miami criminal defense attorney today to protect your rights and to begin building your case.

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