PENNSYLVANIA (WOLF) — Federal and state authorities have charged 19 people in connection with several alleged Medicaid home health care fraud schemes across eastern Pennsylvania, while also announcing the expansion of a federal health care fraud strike force into Philadelphia.
The U.S. Department of Justice says the defendants include home care company owners, employees, home health aides and Medicaid recipients accused of submitting more than $4 million in fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims. Officials say the expanded Northeast Health Care Fraud Strike Force will bring additional federal resources to investigate and prosecute health care fraud in the region.
Prosecutors allege some defendants billed Medicaid for home care services that were never provided, including claims made while caregivers were allegedly incarcerated, hospitalized, driving for ride-share and delivery services, or when recipients were working full-time jobs instead of receiving in-home care. Authorities say the schemes diverted taxpayer money intended to help elderly and disabled Pennsylvanians remain in their homes.
Officials from the Justice Department, FBI, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office say they will continue targeting Medicaid fraud and holding both individuals and companies accountable. Charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.