If someone presents and uses a medical plan card knowing there has not been coverage for about 4 years, would that be considered fraud?
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If someone presents and uses a medical plan card knowing there has not been coverage for about 4 years, would that be considered fraud?
The mother of my children presented and insurance card 3 times this past winter; it was from an employer I left close to 4 years ago. She is fully aware being she had state funded insurance since (which would be impossible to obtain if the children were still covered under medical coverage by me).
Asked on May 22, 2012 under Insurance Law, New Jersey
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Yes, the use of the medical plan card you described would be fraud.
Fraud is the intentional misrepresentation of a material fact made with knowledge of its falsity and with the intent to induce reliance upon which one justifiably relies to their detriment.
The insurance plan card is being used with knowledge that the medical plan is no longer in effect in order to induce the medical provider to rely on it for payment which the medical provider justifiably does to its detriment.
Fraud is both civil and criminal. The mother of your children could be sued for fraud (civil case) and criminal charges could be filed in a separate criminal case.
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