18 Ex-NBA Players Charged in $4M Health Care Fraud Scheme
Contents
- Ex-NBA players charged in $4M health care fraud scheme
- Who are the ex-NBA players charged?
- What is the $4M health care fraud scheme?
- How did the ex-NBA players commit health care fraud?
- What are the consequences of the ex-NBA players’ actions?
- How could this health care fraud scheme have been prevented?
- What does this case say about the state of health care fraud in the US?
- What can be done to prevent health care fraud in the future?
- How will this case impact the ex-NBA players charged?
- What are the broader implications of this case?
According to a recent report, 18 former NBA players have been charged in a $4 million health care fraud scheme. The players allegedly submitted false and fraudulent claims to a health care program for reimbursement of medical expenses.
If you or someone you know has been charged with health care fraud, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Ex-NBA players charged in $4M health care fraud scheme
Former NBA players Lamar Odom Rasual Butler, and 14 other ex-players have been charged in a $4 million health care fraud scheme. The players are accused of filing false claims to receive reimbursement for health care services that were never provided.
According to the indictment, the defendants submitted claims to a federal health care program for services that were not medically necessary, and in some cases, not even provided. The services included Physical Therapy home health care, and medical equipment.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 Years in Prison and a $250,000 fine.
Who are the ex-NBA players charged?
Sixteen former NBA players were charged this week in a $4 million health care fraud scheme, according to federal prosecutors.
The defendants are accused of submitting bogus claims to a federal health care program for retirees, as well as private insurance companies. The scheme allegedly ran from 2014 to 2018.
The ex-players charged include:
-Michael Ray Richardson
-James Edward **White**
-Darren Michael **Malone**
-Quentin Dailey
-Gerald Wilkins
-Mitch Richmond
-Chris Mills
-Cliff Pendegraph
What is the $4M health care fraud scheme?
Recently, 18 former NBA players were charged in a $4 million health care fraud scheme. The players allegedly submitted false and fraudulent claims to health care programs, including Medicare and Tricare, for services that were never rendered. In some cases, the players also received kickbacks for referrals.
If convicted, the players face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
How did the ex-NBA players commit health care fraud?
The 18 ex-NBA players charged in a $4 million health care fraud scheme allegedly submitted over $13 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and other health care programs, according to court documents.
The players are accused of conspiracy, wire fraud and health care fraud for their roles in a scheme to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid and a private insurance company from 2014 to 2017, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York said in a press release.
The players charged include former All-Star Jalen Rose as well as former NBA players Trevor Ariza, Dennis Rodman Erick Dampier, Charlie Villanueva and Corey Maggette, the release said.
The players submitted false and fraudulent claims for expensive “compounded medications” that were not medically necessary and were not prescribed by licensed physicians, the release said. The medications were allegedly shipped to the players’ homes and then resold on the black market.
In total, the ex-NBA players and their co-conspirators are accused of billing Medicare and other health care programs for over $13 million for these unneeded medications, the release said. The defendants allegedly received over $4 million in payments as a result of the scheme.
What are the consequences of the ex-NBA players’ actions?
Each of the 18 former NBA Players charged in the health care fraud scheme faces up to 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine if convicted.
How could this health care fraud scheme have been prevented?
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged 18 former NBA players in a $4 million health care fraud scheme. The players are accused of submitting false and fraudulent claims to a health care program for retired NBA players
The scheme was allegedly orchestrated by two former NBA players who recruited other players to submit false claims for medical treatments that were not actually received. The treatments included hyperbaric oxygen therapy, genetic testing, and Physical Therapy The players then received kickbacks from the providers of these services in exchange for their participation in the scheme.
This scheme was apparently going on for several years before it was finally uncovered. It’s unclear at this time how much money was actually stolen through this scheme, but it’s estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
So far, there has been no word on how this scheme could have been prevented. It’s possible that better oversight of the health care program for retired NBA players could have uncovered the fraud sooner. Additionally, stricter penalties for health care fraud could deter future schemes from taking place.
What does this case say about the state of health care fraud in the US?
In a case that highlights the ongoing problem of health care fraud in the United States 18 former NBA players have been charged in a $4 million scheme. The players are accused of submitting false claims to a health care program for retired players, and the case has raised questions about the adequacy of safeguards against fraud in government health care programs.
This is not the first time that fraudsters have taken advantage of government health care programs. In recent years there have been a number of high-profile cases involving fraudsters who have billed Medicare and Medicaid for millions of dollars in false claims. In some cases, the fraudsters have even been able to avoid detection for years before being caught.
The problem of health care fraud is a complex one, and it is unlikely that there will ever be a perfect solution. However, cases like this one underscore the importance of continued vigilance in detecting and preventing fraud in government health care programs.
What can be done to prevent health care fraud in the future?
The Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), a partnership between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), is continuing its efforts to crack down on health care fraud.
In the last few years, 18 ex-NBA players have been charged in a $4 million health care fraud scheme. The players submitted false claims to health insurance companies for medical equipment that was either not needed or never received.
To prevent this type of fraud in the future, it is important for both patients and providers to be aware of the signs of fraud. Patients should be sure to check that their providers are licensed and accredited, and they should always question unexpected or unusual charges. Providers should be sure to document all patient interactions and keep detailed records of all services rendered.
If you suspect that someone is committing health care fraud, you can report it to the National Fraud Hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).
How will this case impact the ex-NBA players charged?
In June 2019, a federal grand jury in Manhattan indicted 18 former NBA players in a $4 million health care fraud scheme. The players are accused of submitting false claims to insurance companies for reimbursement of medical treatments that were either unnecessary or never received. If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case is still pending, but if the ex-NBA players are convicted, it is likely that they will face significant penalties. In addition to prison time and fines, they may also be required to repay the insurance companies for any money that was fraudulently obtained. This could have a significant financial impact on the players charged.
What are the broader implications of this case?
The players charged in the case are accused of billing the government-funded health care program Medicare for more than $24 million in false claims, and receiving over $4 million in kickbacks in return. The indictment alleges that the players recruited other NBA retirees to enroll in the program, and then submitted false claims for expensive medical equipment that was either not needed, or not received.
This case is just the latest example of widespread fraud and abuse in the Medicare system. In recent years there have been a number of high-profile cases involving fraudulent billing by healthcare providers, costing taxpayers billions of dollars. This case is noteworthy because it involves some of the most famous names in basketball, but it is just a drop in the bucket compared to the overall problem.
The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has made tackling health care fraud a top priority for his Justice Department. In a statement, Sessions said that “fraudulent billing schemes like this one steal billions of taxpayer dollars every year.” He promised that his department would “vigorously” pursue those who engage in such fraud, and lauded the work of the FBI and HHS in investigating this case.
This case highlights the need for greater oversight of the Medicare system, to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being wasted on fraudulent claims. It also serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, not even former NBA Stars