Federal Jury Convicts Florida Woman for Medicare Kickback Scheme
A federal jury in the Southern District of Florida has convicted Nelly Anderson, a 58-year-old resident of Bay Harbor Islands, for her involvement in a Medicare kickback scheme.
Anderson, the owner of Dial 4 Care, a business providing home health services to Medicare beneficiaries, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay health care kickbacks, along with two counts of paying kickbacks related to a federal health care program.
Illegal Kickbacks for Patient Referrals
Court documents and trial evidence revealed that Anderson had hired multiple marketers and paid them kickbacks in exchange for patient referrals.
Subsequently, she caused claims to be submitted to Medicare for home health services procured through these illegal kickbacks.
Penalties and Sentencing
Anderson now faces sentencing on December 5, with potential consequences of up to five years in prison for the conspiracy charge and ten years in prison for each of the kickback offenses.
The sentencing decision will be made by a federal district court judge, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Key Figures in the Announcement
The announcement of Anderson’s conviction was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Regional Office.
Investigation Details
The case was jointly investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG. Trial Attorneys Jessica Massey and Charles Strauss of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section led the prosecution, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon for the Southern District of Florida handling asset forfeiture aspects.
Trial Attorney Patrick J. Queenan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section provided assistance in the investigation.
Efforts to Combat Health Care Fraud
The Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, led by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, has been at the forefront of combating health care fraud.
Since its launch in March 2007, the program has resulted in charges against more than 5,000 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers for over $24 billion. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in collaboration with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, is taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes.
More information can be found at justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-u