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A Florida woman was sentenced Thursday to 20 years for orchestrating a Medicare fraud scheme, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.
Elizabeth Hernandez, 45, billed the government over $192 million, according to the DOJ. Hernandez exploited Medicare by making false claims for genetic tests, durable medical equipment and telemedicine consultations that patients neither needed nor received, the DOJ stated.
Hernandez engaged in a scheme involving telemarketing companies that contacted Medicare beneficiaries, according to the outlet. Hernandez coerced them into accepting unnecessary orthotic braces and genetic tests while she signed off on thousands of orders for unneeded medical services without any direct interaction, examination or treatment of these patients, according to the outlet. Hernandez also billed Medicare for numerous telemedicine visits that never occurred, according to the DOJ.
The personal gain from this fraud was substantial for Hernandez, who pocketed approximately $1.6 million, according to the DOJ. Hernandez spent this ill-gotten income on an extravagant lifestyle, including luxury cars, jewelry, extensive home renovations and travel.
While I agree that any tax bill on the mega-rich will be larded with exceptions and loopholes, and that we should concentrate resources on keeping people healthy rather than making money for the medical industry, I also think we should have some minimal national health insurance which is affordable to everyone. A plan which does not cover every hyper-expensive treatment. And of course it should be very strictly limited to US citizens only.