Feds Charge 89 People Across 8 Cities in Medicare Fraud Takedown

Eighty-nine people have been charged for their alleged participation in various schemes across eight cities that fraudulently billed Medicare $223 million.

This latest raid is the sixth national Medicare fraud takedown the history of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which was created in 2007.

The defendants charged are accused of various healthcare fraud-related crimes, including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute and money laundering. Here are the cities and the respective number of individuals charged in each:

Miami: A total of 25 defendants, including two nurses, a paramedic and a radiographer, were charged for their participation in various fraud schemes involving a total of $44 million in false billings for home healthcare, mental health services, occupational and physical therapy, durable medical equipment and HIV infusion.  

Detroit: Eighteen defendants, including two physicians and a physician's assistant, were charged for their alleged roles in fraud schemes involving approximately $49 million in false claims for medically unnecessary services, including home health, psychotherapy and infusion therapy.

Los Angeles: Thirteen defendants were charged for their alleged roles in schemes to defraud Medicare of approximately $23 million.  

Baton Rouge, La.: Eleven individuals were charged, including five in New Orleans who allegedly participated in a $51 million home health fraud scheme.

Tampa, Fla.: Nine individuals were charged in a variety of schemes. In one case, four individuals were charged for their alleged roles in establishing and operating four supposed healthcare clinics in Tampa — Palmetto General Health Care, United Healthcare Center, New Imaging Center and Lord Physical Rehabilitation Center. The individuals allegedly used those facilities to bilk more than $2.5 million from Medicare for surgical procedures that were never performed.  

Chicago: Seven individuals were charged, including two physicians, with a variety of healthcare fraud schemes.

Brooklyn, N.Y.: Four individuals, including two physicians, were charged in fraud schemes involving $9.1 million in false claims.

Houston: Two individuals, including a nurse and a social worker, were charged with fraud schemes involving $8.1 million in false billings for home healthcare.

More Articles on Healthcare Fraud:

Stark Law, False Claims and HIPAA: Key Risk Areas for Hospitals
HHS Proposes $9.9M Reward for Reporting Medicare Fraud
HHS Reclaimed $7.90 for Every Anti-Fraud Dollar Spent


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