A Virginia-based nurse practitioner pleaded guilty for her role in a $7.8 million telemedicine fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary durable medical equipment.
Between December 2018 and April 2020, Daphne Jenkins, NP, worked with a telemedicine company to sign orders for durable medical equipment for patients she had no medical relationship with, according to a Nov. 27 Justice Department news release. Information ascertained during telemarketing calls to Medicare beneficiaries were used to develop orders that would be sent to Ms. Jenkins. She generally signed these orders without reading them, according to the release. The telemarketing company sold the orders to suppliers and laboratories, which then submitted claims to Medicare. The conspiracy resulted in over $7.8 million in fraudulent claims.
Ms. Jenkins pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. She faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of either up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greater, according to the release. She is scheduled to be sentenced April 10.