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Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

Fraud:

Fraud 'Strike Force' Targets Southern California

Published on Sun Apr 27, 2008

More than 100 cases of billing fraud already exposed in Florida The multi-agency fraud "strike force" that has secured more than a hundred Medicare billing fraud-related convictions in South Florida has set its sights on Southern California. The campaign is targeting fraudulent billing for DME and infusion, according to a release from the Department of Justice's Criminal Division. On May 8, federal agents arrested 10 people in California for fraudulent billing of "wheelchairs, orthotics and other DME that was medically unnecessary and/or not provided to the beneficiaries identified in claims," the DOJ says. "All defendants arrested today were owners and operators of medical supply companies in the Los Angeles area." DME suppliers singled out in the release include David Gabrielyan and Marina Nazarova, owners of U.S. Medtrade Co. Inc.; Jesus Zamarripa, owner of Edward Medical Supply Inc.; and Usik Kirakosian and Petros Odachyan. Both the Miami and L.A. "phases of the strike force have seen high levels of DME fraud," the DOJ maintains.
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