Tom,

I'm fairly certain that there are criminal penalties associated with attempts to defraud the federal govt. I know a pathologist who ran his own lab, was convicted of medicare fraud and did some jail time and lost his medical license to practice. obviously the penalties for facilities are typically financial penalties but if it can be proven that there was an intent to defraud this is the equivalent of stealing which is a criminal offense.

once again I am not an expert on the law and share my simplistic knowledge based upon the one extraordinary circumstance I have knowledge of.

 

 

 

Vinnie Della Speranza
Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services
Medical University of South Carolina
165 Ashley Avenue  Suite 309
Charleston, SC 29425
Ph: 843-792-6353
fax: 843-792-8974

>>> <TOMANDBOB@aol.com> 11/14/02 08:22PM >>>
Hi Cyndi:  The law itself is a strict liability but certainly penalties can occur such as refund penalties, fines, and exclusion from Medicare programs.  The more information people have from all sources can only help lab personnel and managers who have to deal with on a daily basis.   Thanks,
Tom Kuwahara