Law enforcement authorities arrested 90 people, including 16 doctors, in a new round of Medicare fraud schemes across six cities, with more than half of the busts coming out of South Florida, USA Today reported.
With an estimated $260 million in false billings taken by the taxpayer-funded program, the fraud included 27 doctors, nurses and other medical professionals for their alleged participation, CBS Miami reported.
Attorney General Eric Holder and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Tuesday that a nationwide takedown by Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations, conducted in six cities, has resulted in charges against 90 individuals.
In Miami, 50 people were charged with fraudulent billings for home health care, mental health and pharmacy services worth an estimated $65.5 million.
"Medicare is a sacred compact with our nation's seniors, and to protect it, we must remain aggressive in combating fraud," Holder said in a press release, adding that the arrests were necessary to "ensure the integrity of essential health care programs.''
According to CBS Miami, "those charged are accused of various health care fraud-related crimes including conspiracy to commit health care fraud, money laundering and more. The charges involve various medical treatments and services including mental health services, psychotherapy, physical and occupational therapy and more."
A $23 million pharmacy kickback and laundering scheme was charged in connection to two defendants.
In Tampa, seven people were charged, in Houston 11 people were charged, eight defendants in Los Angeles, in Detroit, seven people.
An alleged $85 million scheme was carried out by doctor Syed Imran Ahmed M.D. He was indicted for accepting money for surgeries that never occurred.
"Today, we're sending a strong, clear message to anyone seeking to defraud Medicare. You will get caught and you will pay the price ...,'' HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said.
