DOJ Sweep Underscores Need for Toeing the Line in Medicare Practices

Physicians and nurses were charged along with business owners after the Department of Justice moved in on scores of clinics that were allegedly involved in fraudulently collecting fees from Medicare and Medicaid. The DOJ says more than 300 people were charged in healthcare fraud schemes involving $900 million in false billings. Sixty suspects were allegedly linked to schemes involving Medicare Part D, which is the fastest-growing component of Medicare, overall. According to court documents, the suspects allegedly submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid for treatments that were medically unnecessary and often never provided. At least 28 doctors were among those charged with conspiracy, bribery, money laundering, kickback violations, identity theft, and other offenses. In some cases, ill-gotten funds were laundered by 15 different shell companies, several of which were operated by Pikus Companies. This was the largest such enforcement action in U.S. history.