Prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida recently announced charges in two investigations of alleged kickbacks for home health referrals.
Those charged where among more than 50 defendants in health care fraud cases in the district in the last six weeks, according to a news release.
“South Florida is ground zero for health care fraud. As such, the FBI and its partners devote vast resources to investigate, catch and prosecute those committing this fraud,” said George L. Piro, special agent in charge, FBI Miami. “The victims are U.S. taxpayers, you and me. Our message to those who commit health care fraud and steal from U.S. taxpayers is clear: you will be caught, and you will be punished.”
In one case, an office manager at a doctor’s office is accused a scheme of illegally recruiting Medicare beneficiaries and referring them to home health agencies in exchange for receiving illegal kickbacks from the owners and operators of the agencies.
In the second case the suspect charged in the case is accused of participating in a conspiracy to solicit and receive kickback payments for referral of Medicare beneficiaries to a home health agency.