- Federal prosecutors say 13 people face charges in North Texas healthcare fraud cases involving Medicare, Tricare and $365 million in alleged fraud.
- These cases represent collective fraudulent billing of more than $365 million, said Raybould, with funds intended to serve vulnerable populations being diverted to line the defendants' pockets.
- Federal officials say they've seized more than $35 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets.
- One North Texas case involved a skin-graft company that offered wound-care products billed to Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for kickbacks, resulting in $260 million in false and fraudulent claims.
- Officials allege Curry submitted approximately $26,878,282 in false and fraudulent claims to TRICARE, of which approximately $17,075,566 was paid.
- Prosecutors allege a hospice scheme resulted in more than $3.1 million in false claims submitted to Medicare.
- Officials claim the defendants provided information to co-conspirators who used that information to bill Medicare for more than $73 million for COVID-19 test kits to beneficiaries who did not request them.
- Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald stated, 'We are aggressively scaling our offensive against anyone using health care as a front to steal from the American people.'
Federal prosecutors in North Texas have charged 13 individuals in a significant healthcare fraud crackdown, alleging a staggering $365 million in fraudulent claims involving Medicare and Tricare. The defendants are accused of diverting funds meant for vulnerable populations, including elderly Medicare beneficiaries and military members, to enrich themselves.12
Among the cases highlighted, a skin-graft company allegedly submitted $260 million in false claims for wound-care products in exchange for kickbacks. Additionally, one defendant, Curry, is accused of submitting approximately $26,878,282 in fraudulent claims to TRICARE, with about $17,075,566 paid out.45
The investigation revealed a hospice scheme that resulted in over $3.1 million in false claims to Medicare. Furthermore, defendants allegedly provided information to co-conspirators who billed Medicare for over $73 million in COVID-19 test kits, often to beneficiaries who did not request them or were deceased.67
Federal officials have seized more than $35 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets as part of the operation. The U.S. Justice Department's nationwide effort has led to 455 charges totaling more than $6.5 billion in alleged fraud, with Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald stating, “We are aggressively scaling our offensive against anyone using health care as a front to steal from the American people.”38
The Texas Strike Force has been instrumental in this crackdown, shining a light on fraudulent schemes that have targeted Tricare for years.
“Federal prosecutors have charged 13 individuals in North Texas for healthcare fraud involving Medicare and Tricare, with alleged fraudulent billing exceeding $365 million. The crackdown highlights ongoing efforts to combat schemes that exploit vulnerable populations, including elderly beneficiaries and military members.”
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth