Federal Investigators Reveal Healthcare Fraud Occurring in Physician Practices

The federal government is announcing several settlements against physicians for healthcare fraud, including several instances in early May. In one case, two individuals pleaded guilty for participating in a $13.8 million home healthcare fraud and money laundering scheme, states a May 8, 2012, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) press release. The defendants admitted that they operated and assisted in the operation of four home health agencies that billed Medicare for home health visits that never occurred. One defendant admitted having paid and directed the payment of kickbacks to recruiters who obtained beneficiaries’ information in order to submit claims for home health services that were never provided.