Category Archives: Healthcare Fraud

Florida Man Admits Role in Medicare Kickback Scheme for Unnecessary Prescriptions

Medical Fraud Exposed Posted on by  
Florida Man Pleads Guilty in Medicare Prescription Kickback Scheme

A Florida resident has admitted to running a telemarketing‑driven scheme that generated medically unnecessary prescriptions and defrauded Medicare of more than $1.3 million. Federal prosecutors announced that Eric Van Vleet, 30, of Delray Beach, pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to violate the Anti‑Kickback Statute.

How the Scheme Operated

Between February 2018 and September 2019, Van Vleet operated Hype Med LLC, a company that used aggressive telemarketing tactics to pressure Medicare beneficiaries into accepting high‑priced prescription creams and medications they did not need. These included:

  • Pain creams
  • Scar and eczema creams
  • Migraine medications
  • A combination of drugs marketed as a “foot soak”

Call center employees recorded beneficiary calls and forwarded them—along with pre‑marked prescription pads designed to maximize reimbursement—to telemedicine companies. In return:

  • Hype Med paid kickbacks to telemedicine companies for each beneficiary referral
  • Telemedicine companies paid doctors to rubber‑stamp the prescriptions
  • Van Vleet directed the prescriptions to cooperating pharmacies, including Apogee Bio‑Pharm LLC in Edison, New Jersey

The pharmacies billed Medicare and private insurers, then kicked back a portion of the reimbursement to Hype Med. Van Vleet and his company received at least $343,683.69 in kickback payments from Apogee’s owners.

Wider Criminal Network

The case is part of a broader investigation:

  • Apogee’s principals—William Welwart, Ethan Welwart, and Gary Kaczka—are separately charged with health care fraud and related offenses
  • Elan Yaish, Apogee’s former president, has already pleaded guilty to a kickback conspiracy

In total, Medicare paid over $1.39 million for prescriptions generated through Hype Med’s fraudulent scheme.

Potential Penalties

Van Vleet faces:

  • Up to 10 years in prison for health care fraud conspiracy
  • Up to 5 years in prison for the kickback conspiracy
  • Fines of $250,000 per count, or twice the financial gain or loss, whichever is greater
Federal Agencies Involved

The investigation was led by:

  • FBI – Newark Division
  • HHS Office of Inspector General
  • Department of Defense OIG – Defense Criminal Investigative Service

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, General Crimes Unit.

$45M Settlement: Vohra Wound Physicians Accused of Medicare Fraud Wound Care

Medical Fraud Exposed Posted on by  

Medicare Fraud Wound Care Dr. Ameet Vohra and his companies, including Vohra Wound Physicians Management LLC, have agreed to pay $45 million to resolve allegations of widespread Medicare fraud related to wound care services. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Vohra and his team knowingly caused the submission of false claims for medically unnecessary surgical procedures, inflated billing, and improper evaluation services linked to Medicare Fraud Wound Care. Allegations of Fraud The government alleged Vohra pressured and incentivized physicians to perform surgical debridement procedures during routine patient visits, regardless of medical necessity. Vohra’s electronic health record and billing software were … Read More

Patients Choice Laboratories Pays $9.6M to Settle Medicare Kickback and False Claims Allegations

Medical Fraud Exposed Posted on by  

Indianapolis, Indiana – Patients Choice Laboratories (PCL), a diagnostic lab headquartered in Indianapolis, has agreed to pay $9.62 million to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback-Statute This Indiana Laboratory Fraud Settlement marks a significant legal resolution. Federal prosecutors allege that PCL knowingly billed Medicare for respiratory pathogen panels (RPPs) that were either medically unnecessary or obtained through kickbacks, contributing to the Indiana Laboratory Fraud Settlement. The lab also paid commissions to independent sales representatives and marketing firms based on referral volume, a clear violation of federal law. In November 2020, PCL entered into a Marketing Services … Read More

Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty in $2.5M Medicare Fraud Scheme

Medical Fraud Exposed Posted on by  

Newark, N.J. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has announced that Nestor E. Jaime, 37, of Pine Brook, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to a sweeping health care fraud scheme that siphoned millions from Medicare. This is a case of New Jersey Pharmacy Fraud involving significant deceit. Between December 2019 and December 2021, Jaime operated a pharmacy in Paterson, New Jersey, where he submitted hundreds of false claims for the high‑reimbursement drug Dificid—valued at more than $4,000 per prescription. The pharmacy’s fraudulent activities are an example of New Jersey Pharmacy Fraud, as it never purchased or dispensed the medication. To disguise the … Read More

Anchorage Doctor and Husband Admit $12.5M Medical Fraud and Tax Evasion

Medical Fraud Exposed Posted on by  

Anchorage, Alaska – A shocking case of deception has come to light as Dr. Claribel Tan, 61, and her husband Daniel Tan, 70, pleaded guilty to orchestrating an Anchorage Medical Fraud Scheme involving a $12.5 million health care fraud scheme while evading more than $4 million in taxes. Operating a rheumatology clinic in Anchorage, Dr. Tan specialized in treating autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases. Instead of providing proper care, she routinely underdosed patients, injected expired drugs, substituted free samples, or used medications purchased by other patients. This Anchorage Medical Fraud Scheme allowed the couple to bill insurance companies as if full, … Read More

Medicare Skin Graft Fraud Scheme Uncovered in California

Medical Fraud Exposed Posted on by  

Felipe Ruiz and Jose Gabriel Aguirre admitted to a multi-year scheme defrauding Medicare and Medi-Cal by submitting false claims for Medicare Skin Graft Fraud procedures never performed by a licensed provider. Ruiz, a podiatrist, purchased skin grafts from Aguirre, a sales rep with no medical license, and allowed him to treat patients, then billed for the work under his own name. They now face sentencing in 2026 with severe penalties. Case Details/Scheme Overview Felipe Ruiz, podiatrist, operated West Coast Podiatry across Fresno, Madera, Stanislaus counties, involved in a Medicare fraud scheme. Ruiz bought skin grafts from Jose Aguirre, a non-medical … Read More