107 Individuals Charged in $452 Million Medicare Fraud

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and Health and Human Services (“HHS”) announced that 107 individuals in 7 cities have been charged with various health care fraud-related crimes, including conspiracy, health care fraud, violations of the anti-kickback statutes and money laundering. At least 91 individuals, including doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, were taken into custody following the nationwide operation by the joint DOJ and HHS Medicare Fraud Strike Force. The coordinated takedown involved the highest amount of money in a single operation in strike force history.

In Miami, Florida, 59 individuals, including 3 nurses and 2 therapists, were charged with submitting $137 million in false billing for home health care, mental health services, occupational and physical therapy, and durable medical equipment. Court documents reflect that 10 of the individuals, employed at Health Care Solutions Network, are charged with submitting $63 million in false billing for mental health services for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries who did not need the services.

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 7 individuals were charged with participating in the submission of $225 million in false claims for community mental health services. The government alleges that the individuals recruited beneficiaries from nursing homes and homeless shelters and provided them with no services or medically inappropriate services.

In Houston, Texas, 9 individuals, including a doctor and a nurse, were charged with submitting $16.4 million in false claims for home health services and ambulance rides that were medically unnecessary.

In Los Angeles, California, 8 individuals, including 2 doctors, were charged with submitting $14 million in false claims to federal health programs.

In Detroit, Michigan, 33 individuals, including 4 licensed social workers, were charged with submitting $58 million in false claims for medically unnecessary services including home health care and psychotherapy.

In Tampa, Florida, a pharmacist was charged with illegally diverting controlled substances.

In Chicago, one individual was charged with submitting $1 million in false claims to Medicare for psychotherapy services.

If you have any firsthand knowledge, information, or evidence related to any federal, state, county or city government fraud, you should speak with an experienced qui tam lawyer who can help you understand your legal rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

If you have a claim, contact the Florida whistleblower attorneys at Rabin Kammerer Johnson for a free and confidential consultation by calling toll free at 877.915.4040.