One-hundred people, including healthcare executives, physicians and other licensed medical professionals, were charged for their alleged roles in Medicare and Medicaid fraud schemes in four states, the Department of Justice announced Sept. 25.
The bulk of the fraudulent billings — more than $515 million — resulted from various fraud schemes in Mississippi and Louisiana. More than 30 people were charged for their alleged involvement in those schemes. In Florida and Georgia, 67 people were charged with defrauding Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers of a combined $160 million.
Those charged allegedly billed government or commercial insurers for healthcare services, prescriptions and durable medical equipment that were not medically necessary, according to the Justice Department.
"Healthcare fraud steals valuable resources from those truly in need and tarnishes the hard-earned respect of honest healthcare providers who deliver legitimate healthcare for their fellow Americans every day," U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin of the Middle District of Louisiana, said in a press release. "It is especially egregious when carried out by healthcare professionals who are betraying the trust given them by the community."
Access more information about the alleged healthcare fraud schemes in Mississippi and Louisiana here. Read more about the alleged schemes in Florida and Georgia here.
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