The owner of a Miami pharmacy was sentenced Dec. 18 to more than seven years in prison for his role in a six-year Medicare fraud scheme, according to the Department of Justice.
Antonio Perez Jr., who previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, caused Medicare to pay more than $8.4 million for prescription drugs that were never provided to beneficiaries. He admitted paying illegal kickbacks to Medicare beneficiaries. In exchange for the kickbacks, Medicare beneficiaries promised to fill their prescriptions at Mr. Perez's pharmacy and allowed the pharmacy to submit claims to Medicare for prescription drugs they didn't receive.
In addition to his prison term, Mr. Perez was also ordered to pay $8.4 million in restitution and to forfeit the same amount.
More articles on legal and regulatory issues:
How a New Jersey man allegedly defrauded BCBS of $10M
12 latest healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements
Aurora Health will pay $12M to resolve improper compensation claims