Fraud and Compliance Update
10/4/2019 (AHLA)
Health care fraud and enforcement efforts in Detroit, Chicago, and Minnesota resulted in charges against 53 individuals for their alleged roles in schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid by billing for procedures that were medically unnecessary or not provided and for prescription medications that were never purchased or distributed, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced September 27.
In the Eastern District of Michigan, 20 individuals are facing charges for their alleged involvement in schemes that resulted in $144.8 million in fraudulent Medicare billings, prosecutors said in a press release. In the Northern District of Illinois, 12 individuals were charged in alleged bids to defraud Medicare of more than $103 billion. Seven of the those charged in the two federal districts were doctors or medical professionals.
Also, in Minnesota, 21 defendants, including two medical professionals, were charged with defrauding Medicaid of nearly $3 million.
“Today’s action in the Midwest are further proof of the Department’s steadfast commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who put their personal greed above the public good,” said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of DOJ’s Criminal Division.
The indictments include allegations only. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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