Patient management processes have progressed but, sometimes healthcare providers cannot be fully trusted. Two clinic owner-operators and a physician in Texas were found guilty of participating in a Medicare fraud scheme worth $17 million according to the Department of Justice.
John P. Ramirez, MD and clinic operators Ann Nwoko Shepherd and Yvette Nwoko were convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, in addition to other charges.
As per the allegations, Ms. Shepherd owned and operated a medical clinic in Houston doing business as Amex Medical Clinic. According to the Justice Department Ms. Shepherd is known to have sold medical orders and other documents signed by Dr. Ramirez to home health agencies in and near Houston between December 2011 to August 2015.
Dr. Ramirez allegedly falsely certified medical orders with information about patients’ conditions and medical needs. Ms. Nwoko later joined the scheme as a manager of Amex Medical Clinic.
False and fraudulent paperwork was later used by co-conspirators at the home health agencies to bill Medicare. The total amount of fraudulent bills given by co-conspirators to Medicare was about $17 million, according to the evidence.