|
OIG, alongside our law enforcement partners, participated in the 2022 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. This action resulted in criminal charges being brought against telemedicine companies that purported to provide telehealth, telemedicine, or telemarketing services, exploiting the growing acceptance and use of telehealth. Defendants include telemedicine executives who allegedly paid doctors and other medical providers to order unnecessary laboratory testing, durable medical equipment, and other medical services.
Thirty-six defendants across 13 Federal judicial districts were charged for their alleged participation in various fraud schemes involving telehealth care services, resulting in over $1.2 billion in submitted claims to Medicare. In connection with the enforcement action, the U.S. Department of Justice seized over $8 million in cash, as well as luxury vehicles and other fraud proceeds.
Today, OIG also issued a Special Fraud Alert to provide information for practitioners to help them identify potentially suspect arrangements with telemedicine companies. OIG encourages practitioners to use heightened scrutiny and exercise caution before entering into arrangements with telemedicine companies.
| 
