9 Florida Healthcare Workers Indicted on Charges of Healthcare Fraud
Ten individuals, including nine from Florida, are facing serious criminal charges for their alleged involvement in a national healthcare fraud scheme. The charges were filed by the Department of Justice against the defendants in the Middle District of Florida. They include charges against 193 defendants for their alleged participation in healthcare fraud and opioid abuse schemes that resulted in the forfeiture of over $2.75 billion in false billings.
The suspects are accused of defrauding programs like Medicare and Medicaid which are used to provide medical insurance to the elderly and disabled. They used the proceeds of the alleged fraud scheme to enrich themselves and purchase luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets.
One of the defendants is accused of stealing fentanyl that was to be used by patients in hospitals throughout the Tampa area. He injected the drug into his own veins while working inside hospital bathrooms. He was caught when colleagues noted that he was acting impaired during one of his shifts. Another worker found a blood paper towel and a needle inside of the bathroom. The defendant is also accused of tampering with fentanyl infusion bags at the hospital.
Four others are accused of fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in Medicare funds by making fraudulent insurance claims. One individual reportedly made $380,000 in illegal kickbacks and bribes, according to the DOJ.
Another defendant is accused of prescribing over 1.5 million pills of Adderall and other stimulants for which they were paid over $800,000.
Healthcare fraud federal charges
Each year, federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid lose billions to healthcare fraud. It is estimated that the federal programs lose around $100 billion a year just to fraud alone. Due to these extreme losses, federal prosecutors and judges treat allegations of healthcare fraud very seriously.
The Department of Justice has made combating healthcare fraud one of its top priorities. It now has a dedicated investigatory and prosecutorial unit created under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). While HIPAA is best known for keeping your medical records confidential, the 1996 legislation also provides for a new federal criminal statute (18 U.S.C. § 1347) which targets healthcare fraud specifically.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 1347, anyone who knowingly executes a scheme to either defraud any health care benefit or to obtain by false pretenses any money or property owned or controlled by any healthcare benefit program may be imprisoned by up to ten years and fined under the statute. Additionally, if serious bodily injury to any individual occurred as a result of a fraudulent scheme, the punishment is increased to a maximum of 20 years imprisonment. If someone dies as a result of the fraudulent scheme, they can be imprisoned for life.
Talk to a Tampa, FL White Collar Crimes Attorney Today
The Matassini Law Firm represents the interests of those who have been charged with white-collar crimes such as healthcare fraud, wire fraud, or other forms of fraud. Call our Tampa criminal attorney today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense right away.
Source:
fox35orlando.com/news/9-florida-healthcare-workers-business-owners-accused-national-healthcare-fraud-scheme-doj
