medicare fraud

Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that a nationwide takedown by Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in eight cities has resulted in charges against 91 defendants, including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $295 million in false billing.

The article "Massive Nationwide Medicare Bust: 111 Charged For Scams Worth $225 Million" in the HuffPo reports that:

MIAMI — Federal authorities charged more than 100 doctors, nurses and physical therapists in nine cities with Medicare fraud Thursday, part of a massive nationwide bust that snared more suspects than any other in history.

The Medicare Fraud Strike Force today charged 111 defendants in nine cities, including doctors, nurses, health care company owners and executives, and others, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving more than $225 million in false billing, announced Attorney General Eric Holder, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, FBI Executive Assistant Director Shawn Henry, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A.

Breuer of the Criminal Division and HHS Inspector General Daniel Levinson.

MIAMI (AP) -- Eight South Florida nurses and a patietnt have been sentenced for their role in a $18.7 million Medicare fraud scam....

This one fits in the "you just can't make this stuff up" category.  Let me provide a summary from the Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sun-Sentinel,

It was and still is the biggest Medicare fraud case in U.S. history and ended with the hospital giant Columbia/HCA paying a record $1.7 billion in fines, penalties and damages.

Health IT is serving another unexpected purpose: it's becoming a landmine for fraud.

In "Health care: A 'goldmine' for fraudsters", CNN senior writer Parija Kavilanz observes that:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- There's a group of people who really love the U.S. health care system -- the fraudsters, scammers and organized criminal gangs who are bilking the system of as much as $100 billion a year.

Continuing strike force operations lead to indictment of 30 individuals charged in Miami, Detroit and Brooklyn with more than $61 million in fraudulent billing to medicare

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Assistant Attorney General Tony West today highlighted the Obama Administration’s work to fight Medicare Fraud and released new tips and information to help seniors and Medicare beneficiaries deter, detect and defend against Medical identity theft.

Trial Conviction for Medicare Strike Force in Los Angeles

Miami Physician Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison for Role in $10 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme