Major Medicare Offender Sentenced to Prison for Multi-Million Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme
By Lance O. Leider, J.D., The Health Law Firm
The former owner of four mental health facilities in South Florida and North Carolina was sentenced to fourteen (14) years in federal prison on February 25, 2013. The former business owner pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare out of tens of millions of dollars from 2004 through 2011, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). He had previously been convicted of cocaine trafficking but decided to move to Medicare fraud supposedly because he thought it would be safer. In total the former mental health facility owner was indicted for defrauding the government of nearly $63 million. As part of his plea, he was ordered to repay $28 million.
Click here to read the press release from the DOJ.
Unnecessary Services, Illegal Kickbacks and Fake Mental Health Records.
The scheme, headed by the former business owner, involved three mental health clinics in Miami, Florida, and one in Hendersonville, North Carolina. All four facilities allegedly billed Medicare and Medicaid for services that were unnecessary or otherwise not provided. The clinics also paid bribes to local assisted living facilities (ALFs) in order to provide a steady stream of patients that were in no need of services. Employees of the clinic would then fabricate entire mental health records for the patients in order to bill the government programs. The former mental health facility owner and his employees allegedly thought that creating the medical records would aid them in avoiding detection by federal auditors, according to an article in the Miami Herald.
To read the Miami Herald article, click here.
Co-Conspirators Feeling the “Heat.”
Fifteen (15) of the former business owner’s co-conspirators have been charged for their alleged roles in the health care fraud scheme. Ten (10) defendants have already pleaded guilty, according to the DOJ.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. These departments help make up the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) that works to stop Medicare fraud across the country.
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The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent healthcare providers in Medicare audits, ZPIC audits and RAC audits throughout Florida and across the U.S. They also represent physicians, medical groups, nursing homes, home health agencies, pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers and institutions in Medicare and Medicaid investigations, audits, recovery actions and termination from the Medicare or Medicaid Program.
For more information please visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com or call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001.
Comments?
What do you think of the former business owner’s sentence? Do you think it is enough to deter other would-be criminals from scamming the government? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.
Sources:
Weaver, Jay. “Miami Businessman Who Stole Millions from Medicare Sentenced to 14 Year.” Miami Herald. (February 26, 2013). From: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/26/3254507/miami-businessman-who-pleaded.html
Department of Justice. “Owner of Mental Health Facilities Sentenced to 168 Months in Prison in Connection with $63 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme.” Department of Justice. (February 25, 2013). From: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/February/13-crm-234.html
About the Author: Lance O. Leider is an attorney with 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 Avenue, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.
The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
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