Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Walgreen Co. (together, Walgreens) have agreed to pay $106.8 million to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act and state statutes for billing government health care programs for prescriptions never dispensed. Walgreens, headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, operates one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the country. (Read More)
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Doctor Charged in $32.7M Medicare Fraud Scheme
A federal grand jury in Lafayette, Louisiana, returned an indictment today charging a Louisiana doctor for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare of over $32.7 million by submitting claims for medically unnecessary definitive urine drug testing services. (Read More)
Oak Street Health Agrees to Pay $60M to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Liability for Paying Kickbacks to Insurance Agents in Medicare Advantage Patient Recruitment Scheme
Oak Street Health, headquartered in Chicago and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CVS Health since 2023, has agreed to pay $60 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks to third-party insurance agents in exchange for recruiting seniors to Oak Street Health’s primary care clinics. (Read More)
How to Avoid Medicare Fraud
How to spot Medicare scams and protect yourself, especially during enrollment. Last year, Jean Bound received a package with COVID tests that she hadn’t ordered. She called the company whose name was on the packing list to say she hadn’t ordered them. In response, she was told not to worry, because Medicare had been billed and wouldContinue reading “How to Avoid Medicare Fraud”
United States Files Suit Against Pain Institute of Nashville, Michael Cox, Debbie Cox, and Related Entities
NASHVILLE – The United States today filed a complaint in intervention alleging violations of the False Claims Act by Clarksville Pain Institute, LLC, Pain Institute of Nashville, PLC, Michael Cox, and Debbie Cox, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski for the Middle District of Tennessee. The complaint also includes the common law claims of unjustContinue reading “United States Files Suit Against Pain Institute of Nashville, Michael Cox, Debbie Cox, and Related Entities”
Watch Out for Medicare Card Scams
You may get a phone call from someone asking whether you’ve received your new Medicare card yet. “Typically, the scammer has found or purchased enough information about the beneficiary to … tell the individual their date of birth, address and other information,” says Kim McKenna, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) coordinator for the Washington State OfficeContinue reading “Watch Out for Medicare Card Scams”
Only scammers tell you to buy a gift card to pay them
Did someone tell you to buy a gift card to pay a fine or bill? Stop. It’s a scam. No real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. Here’s how to spot and avoid gift card scams. Gift card scams start with a call, text, email,Continue reading “Only scammers tell you to buy a gift card to pay them “
Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $68,000 from Medicaid and SNAP
CONCORD – A man residing in Manchester pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding Medicaid and the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of more than $68,000, which were benefits he was not entitled to, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Joel Gonzalez, a/k/a Joel Gonzalez De La Cruz, a/k/a Joel Cruz, a/k/a Joel King, 40,Continue reading “Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $68,000 from Medicaid and SNAP “
Scammers use Bitcoin ATMs to steal your money
Most of us use ATMs pretty often to withdraw cash. But Bitcoin ATMs (or BTMs) are a different beast. Increasingly located in convenience or grocery stores, gas stations, and other places, they’re a way to buy or send cryptocurrency. Only scammers are now using BTMs to steal your money. A new FTC Data Spotlight explains how peopleContinue reading “Scammers use Bitcoin ATMs to steal your money”
4 Things to Know About Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Older adults face a greater risk of complications from the rare but serious mosquito-borne disease. Hearing news that a New Hampshire resident died after being infected with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus may be worrisome, but there’s no need for panic. Although mosquito season is still going strong, this mosquito-borne disease is a rarity. Only aContinue reading “4 Things to Know About Eastern Equine Encephalitis”
The Virginia SMP 