U.S. Attorney General Lynch Announces Biggest Medical Fraud Bust In DOJ History – 243 Arrested

[eridani]

http://samuel-warde.com/2015/06/u-s-attorney-general-lynch-announces-biggest-medical-fraud-bust-in-doj-history-243-arrested/

Thursday brought good news for most Americans – well, not so much for the 243 alleged crooks who have just been indicted for medical fraud by the Department of Justice. They are accused of claiming $712 million in false Medicare/Medicaid billing. It seems the real ‘Welfare Queens’ stealing from the taxpayers – are not impoverished women, at all. That myth and stereotype is debunked, yet again.


Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell announced today a nationwide sweep led by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in 17 districts, resulting in charges against 243 individuals, including 46 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $712 million in false billings. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also suspended a number of providers using its suspension authority as provided in the Affordable Care Act. This coordinated takedown is the largest in Strike Force history, both in terms of the number of defendants charged and loss amount.

“This action represents the largest criminal health care fraud takedown in the history of the Department of Justice, and it adds to an already remarkable record of enforcement,” said Attorney General Lynch. “The defendants charged include doctors, patient recruiters, home health care providers, pharmacy owners, and others. They billed for equipment that wasn’t provided, for care that wasn’t needed, and for services that weren’t rendered. In the days ahead, the Department of Justice will continue our focus on preventing wrongdoing and prosecuting those whose criminal activity drives up medical costs and jeopardizes a system that our citizens trust with their lives. We are prepared – and I am personally determined – to continue working with our federal, state, and local partners to bring about the vital progress that all Americans deserve.”

[riversedge]

1. There sure is a wideespread

fraud. Guess the old saying--if there is money to be got---..then folks will go for the pot of gold.

I truly want Obamacare to work for all (would rather have UHC--but that is another story)--and sad to see so many trying to take advantage of the programs.

...... Including today’s enforcement actions, nearly 900 individuals have been charged in national takedown operations, which have involved more than $2.5 billion in fraudulent billings. Today’s announcement marks the first time that districts outside of Strike Force locations participated in a national takedown, and they accounted for 82 defendants charged in this takedown.

Arrests were made in Miami, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Detroit, Tampa, Brooklyn, and New Orleans. The DOJ reports court documents for each case will be posted online as they become available: http://www.justice.gov/….

[KeepItReal]

2. Transfer the whole Medicare Fraud Strike Force to Wall Street

Obviously this is the team that doesn't settle for settlements.

[Scuba]

3. + Eighty Gazillion

[malaise]

4. Is Rick Scott among them?

[Cha]

5. Wow! Thank you, AG Lynch and President Obama.

[Wilms]

6. ^