PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced criminal charges Thursday against a Bucks County woman, as part of a nationwide law enforcement action.
59-year-old Hemal Patel of Bensalem has been charged by information with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to violate the anti-kickback statute, in connection with a home care fraud scheme.
According to an FBI press release, Patel is alleged to have received kickbacks to refer home care patients to home care agencies. Patel and others devised a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicaid for home care services that were never provided, resulting in a loss to Medicaid of approximately $1,069,384.38.
Patel allegedly forged doctor signatures on forms required to certify individuals as eligible for home care services, and unlawfully used individuals’ personally identifiable information without their knowledge to enroll them for home care services they were not entitled to while those individuals were living out of the country.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alisa Shver.
According to the FBI press release, the charges announced today are part of a nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in intended loss and over 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled. The United States has seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets, in connection with the takedown.