Owner of Louisiana Health Care Company To Pay Nearly $7 Million for Medicaid Fraud
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On December 20, 2016, the owner of Louisiana-based Millennium Health Care Services (Millennium) must pay the state nearly $7 million in restitution and will spend 10 years behind bars for his role in a scheme to defraud the Medicaid system, according to Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry.
Millennium’s owner, Dwaine Woods, was ordered to pay $6,985,249 in restitution after his wife and the company were all found guilty of engaging in a criminal conspiracy to create multiple fake CPR cards for Millennium staff. The staff did not undergo training to be properly certified in CPR, Landry said.
The Dangerous Scheme.
Millennium operated from 2004 to 2010 and was solely funded by the government program Medicaid. According to Landry, the fake CPR card scheme was not only illegal but also extremely dangerous. “Instead of service workers learning necessary skills, they were fraudulently getting certifications without any training — greatly jeopardizing the health and safety of patients.”
Millennium was convicted of 19 counts of forgery, one count of theft by fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit forgery. In addition to the restitution payment, the company was also ordered to pay $17,500 in fines.
Dynetta Woods was also convicted of 19 counts of forgery and one count of conspiracy to commit forgery. She was reportedly sentenced to five years of supervised probation and ordered to pay $54,730 in restitution and $5,000 in fines. Additionally, she is forever barred from doing business with the state of Louisiana, according to Landry. Dwaine Woods was convicted of theft by fraud.
To learn about a similar case of Medicaid fraud and the repercussions, click here to read one of my prior blogs.
Never Falsify Any Documents if You Are a Medicare or Medicaid Provider.
We have represented a number of owners of Medicare and Medicaid providers that were investigated, charged and convicted of fraud because they had falsified, forged, created or changed documents that were in their employees’ files. These have included items so simple as the expiration date on a CPR card, but have also included forging diplomas and other qualifying credentials. State Medicaid programs and the Medicare Program takes such matters very seriously. Often prison time will result for the owners of the company.
This can also be the basis for large recoveries under federal and state whistle blower (false claims act) laws. Submission of a false statement or false document to a federal official is a felony. Employees of Medicare and Medicaid providers who are aware that their employers have falsified documents can blow the whistle on them and collect large rewards under one of the applicable false claims acts (whistle blower laws).
Fraud Investigations Are a Very Serious Matter.
We have been consulted by many individuals similar to the subject of this story, both before and after criminal convictions for fraud or related offenses. In many instances, we are convinced that the person is actually not guilty of fraud. However, in many cases those subject to Medicaid or Medicare fraud audits and investigations refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of the matter or they decide not to spend the money required to retain the services of an experienced attorney to help defend them.
If you are accused of Medicare or Medicaid fraud, realize that you are in the fight of your life. Your liberty, life and profession are at stake. You need to sell everything you own, borrow everything you can and hire the absolute best criminal defense attorney available who has experience in defending such cases to represent you.
If you win and are acquitted, at least you still have a professional license and can start over. However, if you lose, you will most probably be in prison for years. You will lose your license. You will be excluded from Medicare. You will be a convicted felon. You will have nothing and will have no way of starting over successfully.
Do not delude yourself. This is extremely serious. Be prepared to give up whatever you have if you can avoid a conviction.
Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Handling Medicaid Audits, Investigations and other Legal Proceedings.
Medicaid fraud is a serious crime and is vigorously investigated by the state MFCU, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs), the FBI, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Often other state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), and other law enforcement agencies participate. Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you are concerned of any possible violations and would like a confidential consultation, contact a qualified health attorney familiar with medical billing and audits today. Often Medicaid fraud criminal charges arise out of routine Medicaid audits, probe audits, or patient complaints.
The Health Law Firm’s attorneys routinely represent physicians, dentists, orthodontists, medical groups, clinics, pharmacies, assisted living facilities (AFLs), home health care agencies, nursing homes, group homes and other healthcare providers in Medicaid and Medicare investigations, audits and recovery actions.
To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.
Sources:
Kennedy, John. “La. Medicaid Fraudster Will Pay Nearly $7M In Restitution.” Law360. (December 20, 2016). Web.
Gyan, Joe. “Prairieville couple sentenced in $7 million Medicaid fraud scheme.” The Advocate. (December 20, 2016). Web.
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.
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By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law