The previous proprietor of a house well being care firm was sentenced final week to a few years and 5 months in jail for his function in an almost $8 million fraud scheme.

In accordance with the Division of Justice (DOJ), Muhammad Zafar – of Wayne County, Michigan – supplied kickbacks, kickbacks and different “inducements” to beneficiary recruiters in alternate for details about Medicare beneficiaries.

“Zafar and his co-conspirators used this data to invoice Medicare for providers that had been medically pointless and never offered,” the DOJ assertion mentioned. “Zafar pleaded responsible to submitting roughly $393,500 in claims to Medicare from his residence well being care firm for providers that had been medically pointless, ineligible for Medicare reimbursement and never offered as represented.”

On Might 29, Zafar pleaded responsible to “conspiracy to commit well being care fraud and wire fraud.”

He initially appeared in court docket in 2015 however subsequently violated a court-issued bond. He crossed the border into Canada after which flew to Pakistan. He was an “worldwide fugitive” for seven and a half years earlier than returning to the US to face fees.

The Division of Well being and Human Companies-Workplace of Inspector Common (HHS-OIG) and the Detroit FBI investigated the case.

Residence care fraud has penalties for all the sector. This not solely creates basic mistrust, however may have an effect on cost to different suppliers and paint a false image of satisfactory entry.

“I feel it has introduced the house care neighborhood collectively to behave at a excessive stage of collaboration, to display to each Congress and CMS that we could be efficient and dependable companions,” former Nationwide Affiliation for Residence Care & Hospice (NAHC ) President William A. Dombi beforehand instructed Residence Well being Care Information. 'We’ve additionally seen the identical factor occur on the hospice facet. It has helped to unite service suppliers.”