An executive in Florida has been arrested for what federal agents are calling one of the largest fraud schemes in the nation’s history. Medicare and Medicaid fraud is apparently problematic in many areas throughout the United States. In this instance, authorities claim to have disbanded a scheme that had profits of more than $1 billion.
A 47-year-old man and two others were arrested on a recent Friday. The man stands accused of committing fraud for more than a decade. Allegedly, in his capacity as a wealthy health care provider, he is said to have filed claims with Medicare that were unnecessary. He is also accused of submitting claims for services that were never actually provided.
At least 20 different nursing and assisted-care facilities were included among those allegedly bilked out of more than $1 billion. A 56-year-old physician’s assistant and a 49-year-old former outreach program director reportedly helped the man carry out the fraudulent scheme. It also appears that many patients were referred to other convicted fraud offenders, who federal agents say were receiving kickbacks for the referrals.
Federal agents claim the recent arrests for Medicare and Medicaid fraud amount to one of the largest health care scheme take downs in the United States. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said the level of fraud and deceit carried out over the past 14 years is shocking. As attorneys are often able to do, those representing the businessman have spoken on behalf of their client, stating that he is a family man and well-respected for his faith and integrity in the Florida health care community. They say he adamantly denies the allegations against him. and they will do all in their power to protect his good name.
Source: Miami Herald, “Feds break up $1 billion Medicare scam in Miami – biggest in U.S. history”, Jay Weaver, July 22, 2016