Despite federal efforts to curb Medicare fraud among home health operators, a home health agency owner and operator and director of nursing were arrested this week in Richmond, Texas for their alleged roles in a recent Medicare fraud scheme.
According to the Department of Justice, the participants conspired to structure bank withdrawals.
Stella Maduka, of Richmond, director of nursing for the agency, was charged with one count of healthcare fraud and eight counts of structuring withdrawals; each of which carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison.
Maduka was also charged with one count of making fall statements relating to healthcare matters and one count of conspiracy to structure bank withdrawals to avoid reporting requirements; each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Owner Felix Maduka, also of Richmond, and who isStella Maduka’s husband, was charged with one count of conspiracy to structure bank withdrawals to avoid reporting requirements and eight counts of structuring bank withdrawals.
The indictment alleges Stella Maduka used a billing service based in Texas to bill Medicare for home health services that there either not provided or were not medically necessary. The scheme allegedly involved the preparation of false medical records in order to carry out the fraud.
Also according to the allegations, the Madukas participated in structuring more than $100,000 in cash withdrawals from bank accounts where they received Medicare payments so that they could avoid government detection.
Written by Elizabeth Ecker
