Physician clients will find themselves in difficult legal situations from time to time. Sometimes it's an investigation for Medicare fraud or other illegal conduct. Other times it's a review related to DEA or licensure compliance. More commonly, physicians are involved in employer inquiries into workplace misconduct.
The common element among these very different legal issues is that physicians typically have no idea what to do when they find themselves potentially in trouble, but how they choose to deal with the issue can have significant consequences.
In my opinion, physicians should have a relationship with a healthcare lawyer or firm in place before any investigation occurs. Whether they are being investigated for a license or medical staff issue, Medicare fraud, or contract issue, it's important to know where to go for help quickly. Even if the physician does not retain a lawyer in advance, having the name of a qualified person who can be called for a variety of healthcare issues is already a step in the right direction.
More important than having a knowledgeable lawyer is actually contacting that lawyer! Some physicians will sit and chat with the FBI or other investigators for hours, only to call me after the visitors leave.
