Texas woman pleads guilty to defrauding payers in $7M COVID-19 testing scheme

A Texas woman pleaded guilty for her role in a scheme to defraud insurers by accessing private patient information. 

Connie Jo Clampitt, of Dallas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, according to a May 2 news release from the Justice Department. 

According to plea papers, Ms. Clampitt worked as a contract lab technician. She said she and her co-conspirators accessed patient data, including names, dates of birth and insurance subscription numbers. 

Three other individuals have been charged in the scheme but have not pleaded guilty, according to the Justice Department. 

Ms. Clampitt said she and her co-conspirators then used this data to submit claims to insurance companies for COVID-19 tests that were not performed, according to her guilty plea. The patients did not request COVID-19 testing and were unaware their information was used, the Justice Department said. 

Affected payers included Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Humana, and Molina Healthcare, according to the Justice Department. 

The scheme resulted in the submission of $30 million worth of claims and at least $7 million in reimbursements. Ms. Clampitt faces up to five years in prison. 

As part of the plea agreement, Ms. Clampitt will forfeit $7.3 million in assets, including two residences, six vehicles and six luxury watches.

 

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