The guilty pleas were the result of an investigation by the federal Medicare Fraud Strike Force. The Strike Force is an inter-agency effort to investigate and prosecute Medicare fraud across the country.
In this case, the investigation was conducted jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).
The patient recruiter pleaded guilty to supplying Medicare patients to a now defunct home healthcare agency that billed Medicare for expensive physical therapy and home health care services that were not medically necessary and/or were not provided.
As part of the scheme, the patient recruiter paid kickbacks and bribes to co-conspirators in doctors’ offices and clinics in exchange for prescriptions, medical certifications, and other documentation. The patient recruiter used the false medical records to bill Medicare for home health care services and physical therapy that had not been provided and/or were not medically necessary.
The government alleges that Medicare paid approximately $7 million based on fraudulent claims for home health care services that were not medically necessary and/or not provided.
When the government investigates and prosecutes Medicare fraud, it has tremendous resources at its disposal.
If you are under investigation or have been charged with a crime, then you should consult with an experienced Medicare and Medicaid fraud defense attorney immediately to protect your rights, your livelihood, and your freedom.
Call John Howley, Esq. at (212) 601-2728 to arrange a free and confidential consultation.
John Howley, Esq.
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