Healthcare DEA Investigation Defense Attorney
As a healthcare provider, you must comply with a host of federal and state laws and regulations. Running afoul of any of these rules can lead to the loss of professional licenses, civil lawsuits, and even criminal prosecution, depending on the circumstances. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is one of the many federal agencies involved in the administration of healthcare law and policy, including investigating and prosecuting cases of suspected health care fraud. In the healthcare industry, the DEA’s main focus is the prescription, distribution, and administration of prescription medications.
If your healthcare practice has come into the crosshairs of the DEA, you need to retain the services of a dedicated healthcare fraud defense lawyer as soon as possible. You do not want to be caught unawares and unprepared if you become the subject of a formal investigation or enforcement action, whether you are a physician, a pharmacist, a hospital, a hospice, or other healthcare provider. A California healthcare fraud and abuse defense attorney at the Law Offices of Art Kalantar can help defend your practice against the ire of the DEA, ensure that you get a fair and full process, and protect your business from unwarranted enforcement actions.
The Opioid Crisis
The DEA is executing major crackdowns on pharmaceutical drug providers at all levels in response to the current opioid epidemic. The DEA is executing criminal search warrants against medical providers and local pharmacies across the country. The current federal administration has made it clear that they will use all federal enforcement powers available to combat the national opioid crisis.
The common basis for the search warrants and the DEA’s enforcement actions is the Controlled Substances Act (CSA): The DEA is currently investigating alleged severe and systematic violations of the act based on the alleged abuse of prescription drugs. Agents from the DEA work these cases with the help of special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Audits and Investigations
The DEA conducts both routine audits as well as targeted investigations into alleged violations of the CSA. Targeted investigations may involve warrants, as discussed above, although the DEA can also conduct routine compliance audits to make sure a healthcare practice is complying with the CSA. Even routine audits, however, can result in criminal charges if the response to the audit is mishandled, or if the audit otherwise turns up wrongdoing. In the most extreme instances, hospitals, pharmacies, or other providers can become the subject of severe drug trafficking charges.
The Law Offices of Art Kalantar can help your healthcare practice conduct internal reviews to head off and correct any troublesome practices that might turn up in an audit, as well as help you respond to DEA audit requests to show compliance and forestall further action. We will help you craft and implement appropriate drug ordering practices to ensure compliance and prevent serious DEA actions.
We are also prepared to represent clients onsite during audits to make sure that the rights and the practices of our healthcare business clients are protected during DEA actions. If you become the target of a proper investigation or enforcement action, the Law Offices of Art Kalantar will stand by your side throughout the process and fight for your rights and the life of your practice.
A Trusted Name in California Healthcare DEA Investigation Defense
If you or your healthcare practice is facing investigation by the DEA, you need to act quickly to protect your practice and, potentially, your freedom. Your business, your reputation, and your liberty may be at stake. Trust the Law Offices of Art Kalantar and our healthcare DEA investigation defense lawyer for dedicated, zealous, and effective legal assistance and representation with your healthcare law matters in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. Call 310-773-0001 at any time to request a free case evaluation with the Law Offices of Art Kalantar in Beverly Hills.
