Feds charge 300 in nationwide health care fraud sweeps

The Department of Justice on Wednesday announced charges against 301 people for involvement in a scheme to improperly bill Medicare.

“As this takedown should make clear, health care fraud is not an abstract violation or benign offense – It is a serious crime”, Lynch said in the release.

Collectively, the doctors, nurses, licensed medical professionals, healthcare company owners and others charged are accused of submitting a total of approximately $900 million in fraudulent billing. Across the country, 23 states and 36 federal districts coordinated with the Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services to go after the alleged fraud schemes.

The takedowns represent continuing efforts by US officials to combat health-care fraud costing the government billions.

Three defendants were also charged in the Eastern District of Louisiana in connection with a health care fraud and wire fraud conspiracy involving defunct a home health care provider.

According to the information, between January 2008 and October 31, 2014, Monaco submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid and four private victim insurance companies for podiatric procedures that were not provided, and podiatric procedures that were not performed.

Those charged “target real people – many of them in need of significant medical care”, Lynch said.

“This is an example of how purported health-care providers prey upon and compound the drug addictions of Medicare beneficiaries in order to steal more money from the Medicare program”, according to a statement from the Justice Department.

“The Department of Justice is determined to continue working to ensure that the American people know that their health care system works for them – and them alone”, Lynch said.

The DOJ based the charges on a various fraud allegation involving different medical treatments and services such as home healthcare, psychotherapy, physical and occupational therapy, durable medical equipment (DME) and prescription drugs. They promise effective cures and therapies, but they provide none.

While the individual cases may be unrelated, law enforcement agencies often coordinate the announcement of health fraud charges and arrests to send a message to fraudsters and the general public alike.

“Our action shows that this administration remains committed to cracking down on individuals who try to defraud the program”, said HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell in a statement.