6 Houston residents and 30 Los Angeles residents were recently arrested and charged with Durable Medical Equipment (DME) fraud. The Houston indictments allege fraudulent billing to Medicare for “so-called arthritis-kits” that were unnecesary or never supplied and for power wheelchair equipment, according to DoJ. The L.A. indictments also included power wheelchair equipment (ever-popular item of choice for DME fraudsters), orthotics, and hospital beds, says DoJ.

“Our Medicare Fraud Strike Force will continue to be vigilant in rooting out criminals who masquerade as health care providers in order to steal from American taxpayers. Every dollar stolen from the Medicare program is one dollar too many.” — Assistant Attorney General, Lanny A. Breuer.

The following individuals and companies are charged or mentioned in the various indictments; they are presumed innocent and await trial: Bassey Monday Idiong, B.I. Medical Supply LLC, Linda Eteimo Ere Kendabie, Ana Quinteros, Michelle Turner, Clifford Ubani, Princewill Njoku, Mary Ellis, Rolondae Mitchell-Straughter, Charles L. Roberts, KO Medical, Kate and Oliver Nkuku, Michael Martinez, Angel Michel, Guadalupe Alcaraz, Theresa Padilla, Pedro Franco, Ricardo Navarro, Martin Padilla, Mercy Medical Supplies Inc., Chatsworth Medical Equipment Inc., All Your Needs Healthcare Products Inc., Global Meridian Management Inc, Christopher Iruke, Pascon Medical Supply, Darawn Vasquez, Connie Ikpoh, Jummal Joy Ibrahim, Asia Fowler, Horizon Medical Equipment and Supply Inc., Contempo Medical Equipment Inc., Ladera Medical Equipment Inc., Aura Marroquin, Maria Nela Moreno, Anait Garanfilyan, Mariya Bagdasaryan, Edgar Srapyan, Goldberg Medical Supply, True Care Medical Supply, Adejare Ademefun, and Sylvester Ijewere.

To report Medicare or DME fraud, contact Frohsin & Barger.