Spokane Medical Supply Company Pays $225K for Bogus Medicare Claims
The Medicus Building in Spokane, Washington where Justin Leland’s US Professional Medical Supply Operated. Image Google Maps, 2022. Leland has agreed to repay the government $224,621 to settle fraud charges.
Under a plea deal to resolve the matter, U.S. Professional Medical Supply owner Justin Leland pled guilty to the charges of Medicare fraud by submitting approximately 400 claims for durable medical equipment in September 2019, U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref said in a press release.
Medicare pays for durable medical equipment such as oxygen equipment, wheelchairs, crutches, and blood test strips for diabetics when the treating physician orders them for a specific medical condition in connection with the treatment of a specific medical issue.
Leland’s company paid a New Jersey company $33,000 for 400 medical equipment orders in August 2019, according to the sentencing agreement obtained by The Daily Muck. Those orders were obtained through a telemarketing scheme by doctors who did not have a pre-existing relationship with the patients and did not examine them before signing the orders.
Leland submitted claims totaling $112,310 to Medicare, listing Leland as the provider. The doctors received kickbacks in exchange for signing those orders. The total amount of the settlement is $224,621.
“None of these claims were for products properly ordered by physicians as part of their course of treatment for patients or otherwise complied with eligibility requirements for reimbursement under Medicare,” the settlement agreement states.
“None of these claims were for products properly ordered by physicians as part of their course of treatment for patients or otherwise complied with eligibility requirements for reimbursement under Medicare,”
the settlement agreement states.
Federal investigators interviewed the patients who said they were called by telemarketers, provided brief statements, were never examined by a doctor, and received medical equipment they did not need.
“This settlement puts durable medical equipment suppliers on notice that they will be held accountable if they attempt to defraud the United States,” Waldref said in the press release.
“This settlement puts durable medical equipment suppliers on notice that they will be held accountable if they attempt to defraud the United States,”
Waldref said in the press release.
“These schemes compromise patient care and result in payment for services that are not medically necessary. Such services not only drive up medical costs for everyone, but in some instances may even prove harmful to patients.”
Special Agent-in-Charge Steven J. Ryan, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, said companies conducting illegal kickback schemes to boost profits “undermine the public’s trust and jeopardize the integrity of the Medicare program.” Ryan said the agency is committed to working with law enforcement “to combat health care fraud and aggressively pursue those who exploit federal health care programs.”
More From This Author
Faces of the Missing: Many Native Americans Remain ‘Lost’; Murders Are Unsolved Mysteries
Feature Raymond L. Daye | Jan 21, 2025
BOP Settles ‘Rape Club’ Lawsuit, Says Dublin Prison Will Not Reopen
Feature Raymond L. Daye | Jan 13, 2025
Does Carswell Prison Still Deserve Nickname as ‘Hospital of Horrors’? Yes.
Feature Raymond L. Daye | Dec 30, 2024
Weekly Muck
Join the mission and subscribe to our newsletter. In exchange, we promise to fight for justice.
Weekly
Muck
Join the mission and subscribe to our newsletter. In exchange, we promise to fight for justice.
