Suspects in the case include executives at five telemedicine companies, the owners of dozens of durable medical equipment (DME) companies and three licensed medical professionals.
The Justice Department announced charges against 24 people who were allegedly involved in a complex $1.2 billion fraud scheme to sell medically unnecessary orthopedic braces to Medicare beneficiaries.
Suspects in the case include executives at five telemedicine companies, the owners of dozens of durable medical equipment (DME) companies and three licensed medical professionals.
Among the telemedicine companies allegedly involved in the scheme were Video Doctor USA, AffordADoc, Web Doctors Plus, Integrated Support Plus and First Care MD.
“These defendants — who range from corporate executives to medical professionals — allegedly participated in an expansive and sophisticated fraud to exploit telemedicine technology meant for patients otherwise unable to access health care,” Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski said in a statement.
“This Department of Justice will not tolerate medical professionals and executives who look to line their pockets by cheating our health care programs.”
According to the DOJ, the implicated companies paid illegal kickbacks and bribes to clinicians working with fraudulent telemedicine companies to refer Medicare patients who were then sold unnecessary back, shoulder, wrist and knee braces.
By Kevin Troung | MedCity News
Image Credit: AndreyPopov, Getty Images
Be the first to comment