Florida Criminal Attorney Blog
A 63-year-old New Orleans woman has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for her part in a $3.2 million Medicare fraud and kickback scheme.
She was also ordered to pay $277,000 in restitution, according to federal prosecutors.
She was convicted in November and sentenced Wednesday in a five-year scheme to supply power wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment to people who didn’t need it.
Evidence showed that the woman got more than $47,000 in kickbacks from an equipment supply company owner, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The equipment supply company owner was convicted in 2016 and sentenced to six years and eight months in prison. Evidence showed she caused Medicare to pay more than $3.2 million for unnecessary equipment from 2004 to 2009, based on illegal referrals.
The New Orleans woman apparently provided information about Medicare beneficiaries and got doctors to sign order forms for the unnecessary equipment, according to the statement. She was convicted on two counts of conspiracy, two counts of health care fraud and five counts of receiving health care kickbacks.
When the government investigates you for Medicare fraud, you need to know that they have a huge amount of resources at their disposal. The FBI, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and federal and state prosecutors are simply a few of the entities that will be involved in mounting a case against you.
An investigation is a serious matter that you must take seriously. You must retain the legal help of an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the complex health care laws and regulations. Our Florida Medicare Fraud Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are highly experienced trial attorneys that will fight to protect your rights.