Investigative Group

This Firm Stole $7.5 Million From Medicare For Unneeded Services

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A New York-based home health agency stole at least $7.5 million in Medicare payments for unnecessary services, a government watchdog reported Wednesday.

“Excellent Home Care Services LLC did not fully comply with Medicare requirements for billing home health services, resulting in overpayments of at least $7.5 million over two years,” the Health and Human Services Inspector General report said.

Those overpayments amounted to nearly half of the $16 million Home Care Services received from Medicare. Additionally, more than three-quarters of the 124 related Medicare claims the IG reviewed had errors that violated the program’s requirements. (RELATED: ‘Largest’ Ever Medicare Fraud Scheme Busted At $1 Billion)

Specifically, the company “incorrectly billed Medicare for some beneficiaries who were not homebound, some beneficiaries who did not require skilled services, and some services for which the documentation from the certifying physician was missing or insufficient to support the services,” the report said.

The IG recommended repaying Medicare the $7.5 million, but Home Care Services did not comment.