Compliance News Roundup: Medicare Fraud Strike Force Announced a New Location

1. Merced Former CEO and Licensed Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud – “Sandra Haar, 57, of Merced, pleaded guilty today to health care fraud and conspiracy to receive kickbacks, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Haar was the founder and chief executive officer of Horisons Unlimited, a nonprofit public benefit corporation that provided health and dental services in Merced and surrounding communities. According to court documents, between January 1, 2014, and March 2017, Haar orchestrated a scheme to bill Medicare and Medi-Cal for services she knew were not reimbursable, and she profited by over $3.7 million from her fraud. For example, Haar billed Medi‑Cal for health and dental services that were not rendered and for unnecessary health care services. She also billed Medi-Cal for office visits with purportedly licensed doctors when the patients instead were dispensed Suboxone, an opioid medication, in the parking lots of McDonald’s and Rite Aid in baggies.” Get the full scoop >>

2. Red Bud Pharmacy Owner and Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Healthcare Fraud – “Steven P. Gibson, 29, pharmacist and owner of Gibson’s Discount Drugs in Red Bud, Illinois, pled guilty in federal court today to charges that he engaged in a scheme to defraud health care benefit programs by submitting false claims for fraudulent prescription medications to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies that were not authorized by a physician, nurse practitioner, or a physician’s assistant as required. Sentencing is set for November 27, 2018. Gibson will face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release on each of the two counts to which he pled guilty.” Get the full scoop >>

3. Deeper Than the Headlines: Medicare Fraud Strike Force Announced a New Location – The U.S. Department of Justice has recently announced another location for a Medicare Fraud Strike Force. This newest location is the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Medicare Fraud Strike Force Teams harness data analytics and the combined resources of Federal, State, and local law enforcement entities to prevent and combat health care fraud, waste, and abuse. How will it impact you as a compliance professional? Get the full scoop >>