Zealous Anti-Fraud Activities Reap Millions For Florida

Tallahassee, Fla.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida has filed 23 False Claims Act lawsuits against clinics and DME companies, alleging some $30 million in fraudulent Medicare claims.

The lawsuits are the latest move in “Operation Equity Excise,” an anti-fraud effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Health and Human Services and the FBI in southern Florida.

“Operation Equity Excise has already recovered more than $10 million in fraudulently paid health care claims,” said U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta. “Through the 23 lawsuits … we hope to recover an additional $30 million.”

Government officials said they recovered $10.5 million in fraudulent Medicare funds that were lodged in bank accounts. Many had been set up by nominee owners of clinics or DME companies that were engaged in Medicare fraud, officials said.

In some cases, the companies had abruptly closed and abandoned the bank accounts. In other instances, the signatories on the accounts denied any knowledge of the companies and any claim to the accounts.

When federal agents could not locate anyone who admitted any responsibility for the bank accounts or operation of the businesses, investigation of those companies resulted in the lawsuits.