Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Couple Who Ran N.Y. Flophouses Used By Addicts Arrested On Medicaid Fraud Charges
The New York Times: Flophouse Operator Is Arrested In A Scheme To Defraud Medicaid
An operator of flophouses catering to addicts, who was the subject of an investigation last year by The New York Times, was arrested on Wednesday on money laundering and Medicaid fraud charges. Investigators from the New York State attorney general’s office took the landlord, Yury Baumblit, and his wife, Rimma, who helped him run his business, into custody at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday at their Brooklyn home, a block from Brighton Beach. The couple were arraigned in the afternoon in Kings County Criminal Court on felony charges of second-degree grand larceny, second-degree money laundering and violations of a law prohibiting Medicaid kickbacks. (Barker, 4/13)
The Associated Press: Jury Convicts Texas Doctor in Biggest Home Health Care Fraud
A jury on Wednesday convicted a Dallas-area doctor of fraud for allegedly "selling his signature" to process almost $375 million in false Medicare and Medicaid claims in what investigators called the biggest home health care fraud case in the history of both programs. A federal jury deliberated for 14 hours over two days before finding Dr. Jacques Roy, 58, of Rockwall, Texas, guilty of eight counts of committing health care fraud, one of conspiracy, two of making a false statement and one of obstructing justice. (4/13)
The Associated Press: Oklahoma Ex-Dentist Admits To Money Laundering In Plea Deal
A former Oklahoma oral surgeon whose filthy clinics led to thousands of patients being tested for HIV and hepatitis pleaded guilty to money laundering Wednesday tied to allegations that he deposited at least $15,000 of fraudulent Medicaid billings into a personal account. Wayne Scott Harrington, who had previously pleaded not guilty to the same charge, could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 at a sentencing hearing scheduled for July 14. Harrington also agreed to pay nearly $30,000 in restitution. (4/13)
The Washington Post: Judge Sentences Potomac, Md., Doctor To Nine Years In Prison
A Maryland judge sentenced a Potomac doctor to nine years in prison for his role in a $3.1 million health-care fraud. Paramjit Singh Ajrawat, 60, was charged with counts including health-care fraud, wire fraud and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced earlier this week in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt by Judge Deborah K. Chasanow. He was also ordered to pay $3.1 million in restitution. (Hedgpeth, 4/13)
