Miami men charged in $110 Million Medicare False Claims Scheme uncovered by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force

Juliet Sallette — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:04:00 -0500

Four Miami men have been charged in $110 Million Medicare False Claims Scheme that was uncovered by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. According to the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Carlos and Luis Benitez, Jose Benitez and Thomas McKenzie were all allegedly involved in the Medicare Fraud. The alleged fraud happened from January 2001 through November 2004.

The four men are accused of conspiring to submit $110 Million in fraudulent false Medicare Claims for HIV infusion services provided at the following 11 HIV infusion clinics: AH Medical Office Inc.; Advanced Medical Rehabilitation Center Inc.; Best Medi Corp.; Physician’s Health Med-Care; Physician’s Med-Care Inc.; Saint Jude Rehab Center Inc.; Global Med-Care Corp.; CNC Medical Corp.; G&S Medical Centers Inc.; Karla Medical Services Inc.; and Best Medicare Inc.

According to the indictment, The Medicare False Claims Scheme involved recruiting Medicare beneficiaries to go to the Clinics under the false pre-tense of needing HIV infusion services. Physicians and medical staff were trained to fraudulently show that medical services were performed and medically necessary.

Thanks to the valiant efforts of Deputy Chief Kirk Ogrosky's Strike Force Team and U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta's outstanding prosecutors, this Medicare fraud was uncovered. We applaud their efforts and hard work.

Five Ways we can combat Medicare False Claims fraud and prevent new schemes

First, we can prosecute people and companies that are guilty of Medicare False Claims.
Second, we can ask for Whistleblowers to come forward and report the fraud/ false claims.
Third, we can support the Medicare Fraud Strike Force team by ensuring they are adequately funded and staffed to handle the investigations and prosecution.
Fourth, we can pass stringent legislation that helps prosecute those found guilty of fraud/false claims.
Fifth, we can make it easier to reward whistleblowers for coming forward and reporting Medicare fraud and Medicare false claims schemes and simplify the process.

]]>qui tam.

If you have any questions on the subject of qui tam or Federal/State False Claims, Former U.S. DOJ Attorney, Brian F. LaBovick, is available to answer your questions, via email or phone.

Click here to read more from the United States Attorney Office, Southern District of Florida.

Medicare Fraud Strikeforce - Whistleblower Law Blog

Miami men charged in $110 Million Medicare False Claims Scheme uncovered by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force