7 accused of $375M Medicare, Medicaid fraud
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20120229/D9T6TT7G0.html
By NOMAAN MERCHANT
DALLAS (AP) - Years after Jacques Roy started filing paperwork that would have made his practice the busiest Medicare provider in the U.S., authorities say they've found most of his work was a lie.
They accused Roy on Tuesday of "selling his signature" to collect Medicare and Medicaid payments for work that was never done or wasn't necessary. Others charged in the scheme are accused of fraudulently signing up patients or offering them cash, free groceries or food stamps to give their names and a number used to bill Medicare.
Roy, 41, a doctor who owned Medistat Group Associates in DeSoto, Texas, faces up to 100 years in prison if he's convicted of several counts of health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Six others, including the owners of three home health service agencies, are also charged. More than 75 agencies linked to Roy have had their Medicare payments suspended.
Roy's attorney, Patrick McLain, said he had yet to review much of the evidence but that Roy maintained his innocence.
W. Rick Copeland, Director of Medical Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the Texas Attorney General, stands next to a chart outlining a healthcare fraud scheme during a news conference Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, in Dallas. Officials announced federal charges in what they called the largest case of medical fraud in U.S. history involving $375 million. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
FULL story at link.
wilt the stilt
(4,528 posts)truthisfreedom
(23,169 posts)that they've been legitimately receiving through one of these organizations, which can no longer provide care.
I'm glad they caught this guy, but I hope they sort through the cases and provide alternate care to those in need.
JJW
(1,416 posts)patrice
(47,992 posts)dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts).
malaise
(269,328 posts)Time for everyone to know why entitlement programs are on the ropes.
These fuggers preach small government and practice looting government and the tax payers
HowHasItComeToThis
(3,566 posts)MAKES ME SICK
Auggie
(31,240 posts)then give Mr. Copeland and his staff a nice thank you.
habu1968
(15 posts)Nice job Mr. Copeland, but unfortunately there's probably hundreds more like Jacque Roys out there yet to be caught. but why does it take 10 years to find these criminals?
xtraxritical
(3,576 posts)Catch 22.
patrice
(47,992 posts)Scuba
(53,475 posts)grahamhgreen
(15,741 posts)"WASHINGTON The federal government is cracking down on medical-equipment providers who either overcharge Medicare for motorized wheelchairs or obtain them for people who don't need them, Medicare and Justice Department records show.
Medicare plans to almost triple the number of anti-fraud strike forces it operates nationwide, from seven to 20, U.S. Health and Human Services Department budget documents show.
So far this year, Justice has won the convictions of 16 people throughout the country who have defrauded Medicare for $57 million, records show. Another six people are being prosecuted now for running what federal prosecutors say is a nationwide ring that has bilked the government of at least $30 million."
66 dmhlt
(1,941 posts)Yeah, me neither:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/28/1069138/-TBagger-Doctor-Indicted-In-Largest-Medicare-Fraud-In-History
(NOTE: If you click on the link to Open Secrets provided in the Daily Kos article to view his donations, be sure to add the 2010 cycle to your request)
sofa king
(10,857 posts)And this fellow The Pope, he's not a Protestant at all.
Next thing you know we'll find out there were no WMDs in Iraq.
Downwinder
(12,869 posts)"free groceries or food stamps to give their names and a number used to bill Medicare"
How do you give someone food stamps? Texas uses the Lone Star card with the State making the deposit. Sounds like they are making it illegal to assist someone to sign up.