A Louisiana medical equipment company owner pleaded guilty to billing over $11 million in false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for medically unnecessary devices.
According to an Aug. 17 news release from the Justice Department, Craig Lovelace owned Advanced Medical Equipment. Between 2016 and 2022, Mr. Lovelace's company billed Medicare and Medicaid for $11.4 million worth of equipment and was reimbursed for $7.9 million.
According to the news release, Mr. Lovelace directed the falsification of documents in response to audits from Medicare, including forging provider signatures, medical notes and dates, and using tape, correction fluid and scissors to make it appear like falsified orders had been delivered.
Mr. Lovelace faces up to 10 years in prison, according to the Justice Department.