With the use of a nationwide computer system which points investigators in the direction of fraud “hot spots”, the Medicare Strike Force has found it’s latest target. As reported in a press release, “Leonard Langman, M.D., a neurologist who owned and operated a Brooklyn, N.Y., medical clinic pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare; the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs; the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board; the New York State Insurance Fund and various private health insurance carriers.” The announcement was made by the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services.
Court documents provide information regarding false and fraudulent claims made by Dr. Langman during the period from January 2006 to December 2009. Langman is charged with submitting claims for services that were never performed, billing for services at a higher level than those performed, billing for services when the Langman was out of the country and double billing health care programs for the same service.
This is just the latest in a long list of fraudsters discovered by the Medicare Strike Force. Based in Miramar, Florida, the Strike Force was created to help investigators and other officials spot possible acts of fraud within the Medicare system. A recent article published by the LATimes.com states, “Just last month, strike force investigations led to charges against 21 suspected fraudsters accused of trying to bilk Medicare of more than $23 million.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami, 102 defendants have been charged in South Florida for submitting fraudulent claims which total $441 million. Medicare and workers’ compensation fraud are a major problem in the U.S. When fraudsters take advantage of these programs, benefits and compensation for those in need is often compromised. For this reason, each American should take acts of fraud very seriously and report fraudulent activity when suspected.
