Robert A. Griffith manages the firm’s health law practice area. Mr. Griffith began his career as an Assistant Attorney General in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and was assigned to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, one of the first such units in the country. With over twenty five years experience as a trial attorney in this specialized area of law, Mr. Griffith has participated in over 450 health care fraud and abuse investigations and prosecutions in no fewer than seventeen different state and federal jurisdictions, and has tried numerous health care fraud and abuse cases on the federal and state level. Mr. Griffith specializes in the representation of health care providers in all matters concerning fraud and abuse investigations and prosecutions, overpayment demands, billing, compliance, and professional discipline.
Since entering private practice in 1982, Mr. Griffith has represented hospitals, psychiatric facilities and institutions, physicians, group practices, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, walk-in centers, nursing homes, durable medical equipment providers, home health agencies, dentists, nurses, podiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and veterinarians. Mr. Griffith is the author of numerous articles, book chapters on health law topics in the area of fraud and abuse and a frequent speaker at health law continuing education programs for the legal and medical professions. In January 2014, the American Health Lawyers Association published Mr. Griffith’s practice guide entitled Fraud & Abuse Investigations Handbook for the Healthcare Industry. Robert A. Griffith has served on the Board of Directors of the American Health Lawyers Association and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s Mental Health Advisors Committee. Mr. Griffith is a former Chairperson of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Health Law Section and the Medicine and Law Committee of the Tort and Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association. Mr. Griffith graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1974 and Boston College Law School in 1978. Mr. Griffith is active in the firm’s health care law, white collar crime, and complex litigation practice areas.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Assistant Attorney General in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
- Former Chairperson of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Health Law Section.
- Formerly served on the Board of Directors of the American Health Lawyers Association.
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s Mental Health Advisors Committee
- Former Chairperson of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Health Law Section and the Medicine.
- Former Chairperson of the Law Committee of the Tort and Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association.
Admissions
- Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts
- United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Memberships
- American Health Lawyers Association
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Boston Bar Association
Publications
- AMERICAN HEALTH LAWYERS ASSOCIATION publishes Robert A. Griffith’s co-authored Fraud and Abuse Investigations Handbook for the Health Care Industry (First Edition – 2014).
“AHLA is pleased to bring to this new title… and recommends the publication to all who are involved in the health care field who need to understand the complex nature of a government fraud and abuse investigation. [AHLA] anticipates that Fraud and Abuse Investigations Handbook for the Health Care Industry will prove to be a useful guide not only for attorneys, but also for health care administrators, executives, medical practice managers, and others in understanding this area of the law as it continues to evolve.” AHLA Preface. Fraud and Abuse Investigations Handbook - Co-author, “Fraud & Abuse Investigations Handbook for the Healthcare Industry” (American Health Lawyers Association, 2000)
- “Defending Physicians Before Boards of Registration of Medicine, Health Law Handbook” (Alice Gosfield, ed., 1994, Clark, Boardman, Callaghan)
- Legal Analysis: “United States v. Levin: Entrapment by Estoppel Doctrine Applied in Medicare Reimbursement
- Understanding Joint Ventures and the New Safe Harbor Regulations
Robert A. Griffith, Esq. and Paul W. Shaw, Esq.
Physical Therapy Today
American Physical Therapy Association
January/February, 1992 - Resisting Disclosure of Mental Health Records During Medicaid Investigations and Audits, Medical Staff Counselor, Fall, 1991
- Safeguarding the Confidentiality of Medical and Mental Health Records
Robert A. Griffith and Dale C. Schneider
The Medical Staff Counselor, Winter, 1991, Vol. 5 , No. 1
Matthew Bender & Company - Health Care Proxies, Living Wills and the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990
Paul W. Shaw and Robert A. Griffith
Group Practice Journal
American Group Practice Association
September/October 1991 - An Insider’s View of Overpayment Audits
Robert A. Griffith and Paul W. Shaw
Medical Group Management Journal
November/December 1991 - Appealing Medicare Payment Denials
Paul W. Shaw and Robert A. Griffith
Medical Group Management Journal
November/December 1991 - Techniques for Defending Health Care Fraud and Abuse Cases, Medical Staff Counselor, Spring, 1990
- Collateral Sanctions for Criminal Convictions in the Medicare and Medicaid Programs, Medical Staff Counselor, Summer, 1990
- “Preparing for Trial,” Health Care Fraud and Abuse: Enforcement and Compliance, American Health Lawyers Association, 1997
- “Practice Issues,” Health Care Fraud and Abuse” National Health Lawyers Association, 1996
- Representing Health Care Providers charged with Fraud and Abuse,” Massachusetts Bar Association, 1994; Liability Beyond Malpractice–Statutory and Regulatory Obligations of Physicians, American Bar Association, National Institute, 1994
- Understanding Institutional Rights and Obligations in Fraud and Abuse Cases, Massachusetts Hospital Association, 1994
- Medical Records, Massachusetts Bar Association, 1994
- Defending Physicians Against Medicare and Medicaid Penalties and Other Collateral Sanctions, American Bar Association, National Institute, 1993
- Nuts and Bolts of an Appellate Review Proceeding, National Health Lawyers Association, 1991
- Defending Fraud and Abuse Cases, National Health Lawyers Association, 1989
- Physician Sanctions, Understanding and Avoiding Penalties, National Health Lawyers Association, 1989
Public Speaking
- 20th Annual Hospital & Health Law Conference 2019
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education
May 23, 2019
Boston, MA - Federal and State Enforcement
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education
Health and Hospital Law
November 3, 2015
Boston, MA - Responding to Audits and Other Governmental Investigative Activities
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education
Representing Physicians, Health Care Providers and Medical Groups
February 12, 2014
Boston, MA - Fraud Investigations by Private Health Insurance Companies
Boston Bar Association – Health Care Fraud
May 14, 2014
Boston, MA - Federal and State Enforcement
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education
Health and Hospital Law
November 14, 2014
Boston, MA - Federal and State Enforcement
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education
Health and Hospital Law
November 3, 2013
Boston, MA - Federal and State Enforcement
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education
Health and Hospital Law
November, 2012
Boston, MA - Federal and State Enforcement
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education
Health and Hospital Law
November, 2011
Boston, MA - Health Care Fraud and Abuse
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education – Basics Plus
Health and Hospital Law
November 9 – 10, 2010
Boston, MA - Medicare Fraud Avoidance Guidelines – Ethics Lecture
American Podiatric Medical Association Region One
Podiatry Institute Conference
October 22 – 24, 2010
Danvers, MA - Recent Private Health Insurance Cost Containment Efforts
Off-Label Prescribing Litigation
Payment Denials
MA, ME and NH Rheumatology Society Presentation
September 2010
Boston, MA - Use of Experts in Adjudication
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education – Administrative Agency Advocacy Workshop
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Boston, MA - Resident Legal Issues
Council of Teaching Hospitals of the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine
Faculty Development Conference
May 15, 2010
Boston, MA - Fraud and Abuse
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education – Health Law Basics
November 4 – 5, 2009
Boston, MA - Fraud and Abuse
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education – Health Law Basics
September 17 – 18, 2008
Boston, MA - Fraud and Abuse
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education – Health Law Basics
September 26 – 27, 2007
Boston, MA - False Claims and Overpayments: Basic Principles and Criminal Concerns For Civil Lawyers American Health Lawyers Association Fundamentals of Health Law
December 2 – 4, 2007
Chicago, IL - Fraud and Abuse Investigations: Implications for Professional Coders
American Academy of Professional Coders
Grand Canyon Coders Conference
June 2006
Phoenix, Arizona - Fraud and Abuse Investigations
Healthcare Compliance Resources
Annual National Compliance Conference
March 12 – 14, 2003
Lake Tahoe, NV - Neglectful/Harmful Patient Care: Motions in Limine under Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Excluding Scientifically Unreliable Evidence
American Health Lawyers Association
Fraud & Abuse Compliance Forum
September 21 – 23, 2003
Washington, DC - Medical – Legal Considerations for Race Directors and Medical Teams
The Medicine Behind the Boston Marathon
Massachusetts Governor’s Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports
April 13, 2002
Boston, MA - Fraud and Abuse, What to Do When the Government Comes Knocking
Society of Medical-Dental Management Consultants
2002 Annual Meeting
June 27 – 29, 2002
Alexandria, VA - Case Study on Credentialing Hearings
American Health Lawyers Association/Annual Meeting
June 30 – July 3, 2002
San Francisco, CA - Fraud and Abuse Issues for Small Group Physician Practices
American Health Lawyers Association and the Health Care Compliance Association
Healthcare Fraud and Abuse: Compliance Forum
September 29 – October 1, 2002
Washington, DC - Responding to Civil and Criminal Investigations
Arizona Health Lawyers Association
Criminalizing the Health Care Industry
November 8, 2002
Phoenix, AZ - Responding to Civil and Criminal Investigations
American Health Lawyers Association/Annual Meeting
June 16 – 20, 2001
Orlando, FL - Protecting Healthcare Practitioners in Fraud and Abuse Investigations
National Association of Health Care Consultants/Annual Meeting
June 21 – 23, 2001
Phoenix, AZ - Use of Electronic Software in the Trial of Police Misconduct Cases
Association of Trial Lawyers of America/Annual Conference
Civil Rights Section
July 12 -15, 2001
Montreal, Quebec
Canada - Defending Yourself Against Fraud and Abuse Charges
New England Accounts Receivable Management, Inc.
Annual Health Law Update
November 6, 2001
Boston, MA - Fraud, Abuse and Physician Compliance
Massachusetts Medical Society
January 20, 2000
St. Luke’s Hospital - Innovative Trial Presentation Techniques for the New Millennium
Massachusetts Bar Association
March 14, 2000
Boston, MA - Health Care Fraud and Abuse
Massachusetts Bar Association
April 26, 2000
Boston, MA - The Knock at the Door: Defending False Claims and Qui Tam Actions
American Health Lawyers Association/Annual Meeting
June 19 – 21, 2000
Washington, DC - Protecting Healthcare Practitioners in Fraud and Abuse Investigations
National Association of Health Care Consultants
Northeastern Regional Conference
September 9, 2000
Lee, MA - Practical Guidelines for Investigations, Hearing and Trials
American Health Lawyers Association
Healthcare Fraud and Abuse: Compliance and Enforcement
November 2 – 3, 2000
Washington, DC - Health Care Fraud Investigations
American Health Lawyers Association
Healthcare Fraud and Abuse: Compliance and Enforcement
November 11-12, 1999 - Fraud, Abuse and Physician Compliance
Massachusetts Medical Society
October 5, 1999 - Lawrence Memorial Hospital
Health Law Basics
Massachusetts Bar Association
September 24, 1999
Boston, MA - Emerging Causes of Action
American Bar Association
March 5 – 6, 1998
Boston, MA - Ethical Issues in Managed Care
American Physical Therapy Association/Southern New England Conference
October 30, 1998
Newport, RI - Health Care Fraud Investigations
American Health Lawyers Association
Healthcare Fraud and Abuse: Compliance and Enforcement
October 22- 23, 1998
Arlington, VA - Healthcare Crimes
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education
Health Law Basics Seminar
September 24, 1998
Boston, MA - White Collar Criminal Cases
National Health Lawyers Association/American Academy of Hospital Attorneys
Long Term Care and the Law Seminar
February 4 – 6, 1998
Coronado, CA - Preparing for a Trial
National Health Lawyers Association/American Academy of Hospital Attorneys
Health Care Fraud and Abuse: Enforcement and Compliance Seminar
October 30 – 31, 1997
Washington, DC - Managing Risk in a Podiatric Medical Practice
American Podiatric Medical Association (Annual New England Conference)
1996 Annual Conference
October 25- 26, 1996
Danvers, MA - Medical Records: The Basics & Beyond
Massachusetts Bar Association
Health Law, Civil Litigation, and Criminal Justice Sections, Young Lawyers Division
Barnstable, Bristol and Plymouth County Bar Associations
December 4, 1996 - Practice Issues: Attorney Client and Work Product Privileges, Joint Defense Agreements, Witness Statements Under the Jencks Act, Organizing and Documenting Evidence: Practical Consideration, and Cross-Examination, Mock Trial — Health Care Fraud
National Health Lawyers Association
Fraud and Abuse Seminar
October 2 – 4, 1996
Arlington, VA - Moderator, Litigators Examine Experiences with Managed Care Liability in the Court Room
American Bar Association
TIPS National Institute
Liability Issues in Managed Care
May 16-17, 1996
Atlanta, GA - Health Care Fraud: A View from the Trenches
Boston University School of Law
Pike Institute on Law and Disability
November 16, 1995
Boston, MA - Risk Management Beyond Malpractice
Massachusetts Bar Association
Massachusetts Medical Society
October 18, 1995
Waltham, MA - Ethics of Representing Healthcare Clients under Investigation/Obtaining Opinion Letters
National Health Lawyers Association
Healthcare Fraud and Abuse
October 11 – 13, 1995
Washington, DC - Liability Beyond Malpractice-Statutory And Regulatory Obligations Of Physicians
American Bar Association
TIPS National Institute
Liability Issues For Health Care Providers In A Changing Environment
March 17-19, 1994
Palm Springs, CA
May 5-7, 1994
Washington, DC - Medical Records The Basics & Beyond
Massachusetts Bar Association
Health Law Section
April 6, 1994
Springfield, MA - Representing Health Care Providers Charged With Fraud & Abuse
Massachusetts Bar Association
Health Law Section
May 18, 1994
Boston, MA - Medical Records The Basics & Beyond
Massachusetts Bar Association
Health Law Section
October 26, 1994
Boston, MA - Representing Health Care Providers Charged With Fraud & Abuse
Massachusetts Bar Association
Health Law Section
November 9, 1994
Boston, MA - Medicare and Medicaid Health Care Provider Sanctions
Tort and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) National Institute
American Bar Association
May 20-22, 1993
New Orleans, LA - Medicare and Medicaid Health Care Provider Sanctions
TIPS National Institute
American Bar Association
February 13-15, 1992
San Diego, California - Health Law Update: An In-depth Review of Legal Changes Affecting Practice in the 90’s
Survival Seminars
February 27 – March 1, 1992
Cancun, Mexico - Understanding Joint Ventures and the New Safe Harbor Regulations
1992 Annual Conference, Private Practice Section
American Physical Therapy Association
November 11-15, 1992
Dallas, Texas - Defending Criminal and Civil Fraud and Abuse Cases
20th Annual Health Law Update
National Health Lawyers Association
June 5-7, 1991
Chicago, IL - Nuts and Bolts of an Appellate Review Proceeding (Credentialing Issues)
The New Medical Staff: Legal Issues Update
National Health Lawyers Association
September 27-28, 1991
Chicago, IL - Confidentiality of Medical Records in Medicare/Medicaid
11th Annual Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues
National Health Lawyers Association
American Academy of Hospital Attorneys
April 18-20, 1990
Baltimore, Maryland - National Health Lawyers Association and American Medical Association
May 5-6, 1989
Chicago, Illinois - Defending Fraud and Abuse Cases
1989 Health Law Update
National Health Lawyers Association
June 7-9, 1989
San Francisco, California - Defending Fraud and Abuse Cases
Annual Meeting
National Association of College and University Attorneys
July 1, 1989
Boston, Massachusetts - Fraud and Abuse Investigations: When the Government Stumbles
1988 Annual Meeting
National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units
Annapolis, Maryland
Joint Medicare/Medicaid Investigations
Defense Attorney Panel
Education
- Boston College Law School, J.D. (1978)
- St. Bonaventure University (1974)