Call it "America's Most Wanted: Healthcare Edition." In an attempt to ramp up efforts to catch criminals charged with healthcare fraud and abuse, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services announced its new Most Wanted Fugitives List on Thursday.
The list is a compilation of the baddest of healthcare bad guys; according to a press release, those featured have accounted for more than $124 million in fraud. Among the most nefarious individuals, three--Miami-based Carlos, Luis and Jose Benitez--are accused of submitting bogus Medicare claims totaling roughly $110 million through HIV infusion clinics, as previously reported in FierceHealthcare.
Susan Bendigo of California, meanwhile, allegedly sent unlicensed nurses to treat Medicaid patients, knowing that only licensed nurses were allowed to treat such individuals. She collected $10 million out of $17.1 million actually billed to Medi-Cal.
"With our Most Wanted Fugitives List, OIG is asking the public's help in tracking down fugitives," Inspector General Daniel Levinson said, according to the release. "The public has a stake in the fight against fraud, waste and abuse."
The list comes on the heels of an announcement by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius last week touting other increased fraud prevention efforts focused primarily in Medicare.
As of press time, the OIG could not be reached directly for comment.
To learn more:
- here's the OIG press release
- check out the Most Wanted website