A Florida businessman named Daniel Hurt has been found guilty of orchestrating a massive Medicare fraud scheme worth over $27 million.
Hurt, the owner and operator of several healthcare companies, conspired with telemarketing agents, telemedicine providers, and laboratories to defraud the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through the submission of false claims for medically unnecessary cancer genomic (CGx) tests.
This case highlights the growing issue of healthcare fraud, where unscrupulous individuals exploit vulnerabilities in the system to line their pockets at the expense of taxpayer-funded programs like Medicare.
Read: Ex-Executive Charged In Florida Medicare Fraud
Hurt was the central figure in this elaborate fraud scheme. He owned and operated a network of healthcare companies, including Fountain Health Services LLC, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics LLC, First Choice Laboratory LLC, and Sonoran Desert Pathology Associates LLC.
Hurt’s companies were at the heart of the conspiracy, serving as the conduits for the fraudulent activities.
The United States government alleged that Hurt and his co-conspirators engaged in a range of fraudulent practices to defraud Medicare. These included:
- Soliciting Medicare Beneficiaries for “Free” CGx Tests: Hurt conspired with telemarketing agents to contact Medicare beneficiaries and offer them “free” CGx tests, which were not medically necessary for the treatment or diagnosis of their conditions.
- Prescribing Unnecessary CGx Tests: Hurt collaborated with telemedicine providers to “prescribe” CGx tests that were not medically necessary for the beneficiaries.
- Conducting Unnecessary Tests: Hurt arranged for reference laboratories to conduct the unnecessary CGx tests on the beneficiaries.
- Submitting False Claims: Hurt worked with billing laboratories and a hospital to submit claims for payment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the unnecessary CGx tests.
- Receiving Kickbacks: Hurt received and paid kickbacks in exchange for Medicare referrals, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS).
Read: Murder Suspect Arrested After Man’s Body Pulled From Water In Ruskin: HCSO
The scale of Hurt’s fraudulent activities was truly staggering. The United States government alleged that, from January 2019 to November 2021, Hurt and his co-conspirators knowingly submitted false claims for CGx tests that were not medically necessary, resulting in over $27 million in Medicare payments.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) swiftly responded to Hurt’s criminal actions.
Hurt pleaded guilty to criminal healthcare fraud for his offenses, and he and his companies agreed to be excluded from participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and all other federal healthcare programs.
In addition to the criminal charges, Hurt and his companies agreed to a civil settlement to resolve allegations that they had violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by submitting false claims to Medicare.
The $27 million settlement reflects the government’s determination to hold those responsible for healthcare fraud accountable and to protect the integrity of vital public health programs like Medicare.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.