On April 17, 2015, the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) reported three new actions involving Medicare fraud and abuse. Since the Medicare Fraud Strike Force began in March 2007, HEAT has charged nearly 2,100 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $6.5B.
The Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which operates in nine cites, reported 1) the conviction of a Miami Home Health Company sentenced to 113 months in prison for $32M Medicare Fraud scheme involving kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters in exchange for patient referrals, as well as prescriptions, plans of care, and certifications for medically unnecessary therapy and home health services for Medicare beneficiaries, 2) a Michigan Home Health Agency Owner pled guilty in connection to a $2.8 Home Health Care scheme based upon referrals obtained through illegal kickbacks to patient recruiters and physicians, and 3) a Valencia, California physician was indicted in a $6.5M Medicare Fraud scheme involving services billed to Medicare that were not actually provided to the Medicare beneficiaries. Links to the announcements are listed below.
Valencia, California, Doctor Indicted in $6.5 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme.
Clearly, HEAT takes Medicare fraud and abuse seriously.
By Denise Bloch
