According to a guilty plea by home health nurse, Farah Maria Perez, Florida Home Health Care Providers Inc., a Miami home health care agency, fraudulently billed the Medicare program “for expensive physical therapy and home health care services that were medically unnecessary” but were prescribed by doctors.  Perez admits that she conspired with others inside the company to hide the fact that “the beneficiaries did not actually qualify.” According to prosecutors, “Perez and her co-defendant nurses described in nursing notes and patient files symptoms such as tremors, impaired vision, weak grip and inability to walk without assistance.”  All told, DoJ reports that the total amount of the loss to the Medicare system and to taxpayers was $25 million.  Perez will be sentenced on November 4 and faces up to 10 years in prison plus potential fines and forfeiture.  Other alleged co-conspirators charged are, Jose Nunez, M.D., Lisandra Alonso, Luisa Morciego, and Vicente Guerra, all of whom are currently presumed innocent and awaiting trial.

To report home health fraud or other Medicare fraud, contact Frohsin & Barger.