Being accused of a criminal act can be stressful enough. When you hold a medical license, not only do you have to defend yourself against the charges, but you will likely need to defend your medical license with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). If you are arrested, your first reaction may be to keep this news as quiet as possible, however, under the rules of the Illinois Medical Board, you are required to notify the board if you are facing certain criminal charges.
Felony Defenses
Under the rules of the IDFPR, a doctor is required to self-report if they have been arrested for any felony offense. One of the most common crimes that medical professionals are arrested for is healthcare fraud. These charges are usually brought forth by federal prosecutors since they usually involve fraud against Medicare or Medicaid. These allegations are very serious – not only does the accused face prison time and hefty fines if they are convicted, but their professional future is also in jeopardy since it also could mean loss of medical license or at the very least, loss of provider status.
Examples of the most recent cases of healthcare fraud arrests include:
-
An Edinberg, TX doctor was charged with 15 counts of healthcare fraud, totaling more than $3.5 million
-
A Canton, MA doctor was charged with 11 counts of healthcare fraud, allegedly billing federal health insurance programs over a three-year period, claiming he treated up to 60 patients per day
-
A New York, NY doctor was charged with an alleged $10 million health care fraud scheme that involved filing fraudulent and false claims
-
A Charlotte, NC doctor was indicted for allegedly participating in an $11 million medical equipment scheme
Misdemeanor Offenses
Physicians are also required to self-report arrests and convictions of certain misdemeanor offenses. The misdemeanor offenses are those that fall under the umbrella of “crimes of moral fortitude.” Unfortunately, Illinois law does not have a specific definition of what is considered a crime of moral fortitude.
Generally, a crime of moral fortitude is one that insults society’s moral compass, such as drunk driving, drug possession, and theft. Crimes that are considered especially vile or heinous – even though the charge is a misdemeanor – also fall under this category. Examples of these types of crimes include assault, child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual offenses.
Contact an Illinois Professional License Defense Attorney
If you are being investigated for a crime – or have already been charged – do not delay in contacting Williams & Nickl, LLC. The sooner one of our skilled Chicago, IL medical license defense lawyers can begin working on your case, the better the chances are of a more positive outcome. Call 312-335-9470 to schedule a free consultation.