Orlando, Fla., resident Patrick Fitchner pleaded guilty in New Jersey federal court to his role in a $3.6 million durable medical equipment kickback scheme.
Mr. Fitchner, 51, and others solicited and received kickbacks and bribes in exchange for providing durable medical equipment companies with completed physicians' orders for medically unnecessary equipment such as orthotic braces, according to an Aug. 22 Justice Department news release.
He and his alleged co-conspirators submitted at least $3.6 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare and other healthcare benefit programs, according to the release. They received $2.1 million in kickbacks for the fraudulent equipment orders.
Mr. Fitchner is scheduled to be sentenced in January.