Jose Vela Jr.

His practice spans the full spectrum of healthcare enforcement matters, including grand jury subpoenas, Civil Investigative Demands, OIG subpoenas, search warrants, whistleblower complaints, False Claims Act lawsuits, criminal healthcare fraud investigations, overpayment determinations, payment suspensions, enrollment revocations, exclusions, recoupment actions, self-disclosures, and reimbursement disputes involving government and private payors.

As an Assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, Jose led complex investigations involving Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded healthcare programs. He directed and coordinated special agents, investigators, and auditors from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCU), giving him firsthand insight into how government agencies investigate fraud, evaluate evidence, assess risk, and pursue enforcement actions.

Jose also served as lead counsel for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in disputes involving Medicare overpayments, claim denials, payment suspensions, enrollment actions, and recoupment proceedings. He understands how CMS investigates billing practices, identifies alleged overpayments, suspends payments, revokes enrollments, and defends those decisions through the administrative appeals process.

Jose is a frequent author and speaker on healthcare fraud enforcement, False Claims Act litigation, government investigations, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, and emerging issues affecting the healthcare industry.

In addition to his legal career, Jose served for 28 years in the United States Army and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, he held leadership positions at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels, including serving as Director of Plans for a major Army command responsible for planning and coordinating operations affecting more than 22,500 soldiers stationed worldwide. His military service reflects the same leadership, strategic thinking, and mission-focused approach that he brings to representing clients today.