In addition, the DOJ stated that nine of the defendants committed different health care fraud schemes designed to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic. Their alleged illegal schemes resulted in the submission of more than $29 million in false billings.
The Justice Department alleged that the defendants exploited the policies of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that allowed increased access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic. They allegedly misused patient information by submitting claims to Medicare for unrelated expensive and medically unnecessary laboratory tests including cancer genetic testing.
The DOJ also charged five defendants who allegedly misused the Provider Relief Fund, a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. On March 2020, the Congress enacted the CARES Act to provide medical care to Americans suffering from COVID-19.
Additionally, the Justice Department charged additional defendants involved in the sober homes cases. Over $133 million in fraudulent claims related to medically unnecessary testing and treatments for patients suffering from drug or alcohol addiction.
