Southern District of Florida Charges 30 Individuals Responsible for $86 Million in Fraudulent

[TexasTowelie]

Southern District of Florida Charges 30 Individuals Responsible for $86 Million in Fraudulent Billing as Part of Healthcare Fraud Takedown


Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Brian A. Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and Derrick L. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Atlanta Regional Office, announced that a total of 30 defendants were charged with offenses relating to their alleged participation in various schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance. The conduct allegedly resulted in more than $86 million in fraudulent billings. Those charged included physicians as well as other medical and business professionals.

The charges announced involve schemes alleged to have billed Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies for medically unnecessary services, such as home health, prescriptions drugs, durable medical equipment and addiction treatment services.

“Health care programs provide vital services to Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida. “Those who perpetuate these pervasive health care fraud schemes steal taxpayer dollars from intended beneficiaries and threaten the viability of government programs. We commend the coordinated and continued efforts of our federal law enforcement partners to root out fraud and abuse in our healthcare system.”

“The defendants charged today allegedly bilked the American people to the tune of millions in fraudulent billings,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “All Americans should stand with the Department as we fight the fight against these unscrupulous schemes in Florida, Georgia, and across the country.”

Read more: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/southern-district-florida-charges-30-individuals-responsible-86-million-fraudulent