Sloppy Billing vs Health Care Fraud: Why Criminal Intent Is the Key Factor | Tarras Defense

Health care fraud cases often begin with questions about billing practices, but not every error is a crime. In this video, David Tarras explains the difference between sloppy billing and actual health care fraud and why criminal intent is the determining factor in a federal prosecution. Tarras outlines how coders, billers, medical equipment providers, lab owners, and other health care professionals become targets when billing patterns raise concerns about medical necessity or reimbursement practices. He describes how quickly evolving Medicare and Medicaid rules create confusion and why the government focuses on whether a person knowingly attempted to violate those rules. Even in complex or technical cases, prosecutors must prove intent to cause a loss to a federal health care program. Tarras Defense represents clients in health care fraud investigations, billing related prosecutions, and complex federal cases across South Florida. Learn more at www.tarrasdefense.com .