Wisconsin Senior Medicare Patrol

The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), with the collaboration of the United States Secret Service (USSS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has uncovered a massive health care fraud operation that led to the arrests of 10 people.  They include the presidents and employees of four medical organizations, Monte Mar Health Corporation (Monte Mar), PROMEDS Medical Inc. (PROMEDS) Quality Care Medical Supply (Quality), and Preferred Medical Equipment (PME).  In multiple indictments the businesses were charged with filing fraudulent claims to Medicare for Durable Medical Equipment and other unnecessary costs. Physician Francisco Garrastegui was allegedly in on the scams by accepting kick-backs for signing and completing false progress notes, prescriptions, Certificates of Medical Necessity (CMNs) and Statements of Ordering Physician for Medicare beneficiaries that were billed by Monte Mar, PROMEDS, Quality, and PME.  Others involved are charged with creating and submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare.  If found guilty the defendants could spend 10 years in prison.

Read more about the indictments here.