According to ABC News, the rate of Medicare fraud is on the rise. One of the areas in which Medicare fraud is growing is home health care fraud. It’s important to be aware of this type of fraud, as it makes up a significant portion of health care fraud and often takes advantage of some of the most vulnerable members of society.
Home health care fraud can include billing for medically unnecessary services or care that was not actually provided. Home health care companies may fraudulently obtain patients’ personal medical information –including their Medicare numbers -and falsify medical documents and records in order to send fraudulent bills to Medicare for costly home health care services.
Health care fraud whistleblowers play a critical role in ending the perpetration of Medicare fraud, including home health care fraud. To protect those individuals who are most at risk, it’s important for witnesses to report suspicions of health care fraud.
Major Miami Home Health Care Fraud
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, on May 12, 2015 the leader of a $13 million Medicare fraud scheme perpetrated by a Miami home health care company was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $13.7 million in restitution.
In that case, the owner of Longcare Home Health Corporation fraudulently billed the Medicare program for home health care services that were not provided or were not medically necessary. In addition, the owner paid kickbacks and bribes to patient recruiters and to doctors’ offices to fraudulently bill Medicare for home health care services.
Home Health Care Fraud Conspiracy
In April of 2015, according to the U.S. Department of Justice the owner of a Detroit adult day care center and two owners of Detroit-area home health care companies were sentenced to prison for their participation in a $29 million Medicare fraud conspiracy. In addition to prison sentences, the three conspirators were ordered to pay a total of $11.4 million in restitution.
In that case, the adult day care billed Medicare for services that were not provided, and sold patients’ private medical information to the owner of one of the home health care companies. Both owners of the home health care companies billed Medicare for services that were not provided
According to ABC News Medicare fraud costs taxpayers more than $60 billion each year. According to a statement made by a U.S. Department of Justice spokesperson to Modern Healthcare, “about half of Justice’s current healthcare fraud caseload involves home healthcare allegations.”
In order to combat Medicare Fraud, since 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force has operated in nine cities and charged over 2,000 defendants who have fraudulently billed Medicare for more than $6.5 billion.
What can you do about Medicare fraud?
If you have witnessed Medicare fraud, including home health care fraud, you can stand up and make a difference. Let us help. Contact our government fraud attorney. We will help you navigate the process, protect your rights, and work together to pursue justice against those perpetrating fraud.
See Related Blog Posts:
Record Settlement in Non-Intervened Health Care Fraud Case
Medicare Fraud: A Problem Invading All Aspects of Health Care