More than a dozen health care professionals in North Texas are accused of submitting hundreds of millions of dollars in false and fraudulent health care claims.
Physicians, nurses and other health care workers face an array of federal charges, from conspiracy to commit fraud to offering and accepting bribes. The charges are part of a sweeping federal investigation announced Tuesday that has led to charges against about 450 people, including 90 physicians, nationwide. Authorities say the fraudulent claims totaled $6.5 billion nationwide.
In North Texas, authorities say they have identified $365 million in fraudulent and false claims and have seized more than $35 million in cash, luxury vehicles and other assets.
“Health care fraud is not a victimless crime,” Jason Meadows, special agent in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, said at a news conference Tuesday in Dallas. “This kind of fraud drains critical resources, steals from American taxpayers and directly threatens programs meant to serve our most vulnerable citizens.”
A Fort Worth physician is accused of running a years-long scheme to administer ultrasounds, EKGs and other medically unnecessary tests on student athletes with no preexisting conditions.
Prosecutors say Dr. Jason Finkelstein, 53, preyed on the fears of athletes that they could die of sudden cardiac arrest on the court or field. He offered bribes and kickbacks to athletic directors and hired sonographers without proper...
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice has announced what officials describe as the largest coordinated health care fraud enforcement action in American history, charging 455 individuals in s...