If the weekly posts that appear here, on the Allegiant Experts Blog, have made anything clear, it’s that health care fraud takes place in various forms all over this country – all the time! It’s a sad fact that’s made a little less melancholy by the fact that fraudsters are continuously being brought to justice in droves. Of course, not every perpetrator gets caught. But, it’s certain that health care fraud is being cracked down upon.
Florida and Georgia health care fraud law enforcement action results in 67 people charged.
Here, in our beautiful state of Florida, we must endure the misfortune of having our state made a little less beautiful by numerous health care fraud perpetrators. This past Wednesday, the United States Department of Justice announced that charges have been brought against no less than 67 individuals suspected of participating in various schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid.
In fairness, the state of Georgia is sharing in this recent takedown. As the DoJ explains, a health care fraud enforcement operation across Florida and Georgia lead to the charges of the individuals who span across four federal districts. Their conduct allegedly resulted in over $160 million in fraudulent billings.
Among those charged are several physicians in addition to other medical and business professionals. As far as our state of Florida is concerned, 16 defendants, including one licensed mental health professional, have been charged with bilking the Medicaid program out of more than $1.2 million.
Florida’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) investigated these cases. The charges announced this past Wednesday aggressively target schemes against Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies for medically unnecessary services including prescription drugs, home health and durable medical equipment.
Gulf Coast health care law enforcement action results in 33 people charged.
This past Wednesday also saw an announcement about the success of a health care fraud enforcement operation across the Gulf Coast. In a separate DoJ report, it was revealed that charges have been laid against a total of 11 individuals across four federal districts for their alleged involvement in various schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE.
The defendants are also alleged to have obtained oxycodone and other controlled substances by fraud. “The conduct allegedly resulted in more than $515 million in fraudulent billings,” reports the DoJ, “Those charged included physicians, licensed social workers, as well as other medical and business professionals.”
“In addition, in the state of Louisiana, 22 defendants, including 19 certified mental and home health professionals, have been charged with defrauding Medicaid out of approximately $300,000,” the report continues, “These cases were investigated by Louisiana’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU).”
Are you an attorney who is currently trying a health care fraud case?
Please don’t hesitate to contact Allegiant Experts to find out how our clinical expertise may help your case. Our experts have been providing expert clinical services for nearly two decades and can help your team by bridging the disciplines of medicine, coding and billing to ensure accurate payment and data is achieved. Give us a call at 407-217-5831 or email us at info@allegiantexperts.com.
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