Another Medicare Defrauder Sentenced in Metro Detroit

On June 21, 2011, the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (“HHS”) announced that Maria Haber, an owner of a medical clinic based in Metro Detroit, was sentenced for her involvement in a $1.12 million Medicare fraud scheme. Haber’s penalty includes 15 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and over $1 million in restitution to be paid jointly and severally with her co-defendants.

Haber pled guilty to one count conspiracy to commit health care fraud in October 2010. Previously, nine co-defendants pled guilty in connection with their involvement in the matter.

Court documents reveal that Haber incorporated CompleteHealth, a limited liability company purporting to provide primary care services, in 2007. She signed the company’s provider application for Medicare enrollment and admitted to helping operate the clinic. Haber also admitted to billing Medicare for medically unnecessary services and tests along with her co-conspirators and paying kickbacks to driver recruiters and patients to carry out the fraudulent scheme. This conduct continued after CompleteHealth merged with Ritecare in 2008.

Haber is one of 1,000 defendants indicted in nine districts with the assistance of Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations since March 2007.

For more information on health care fraud and abuse, please contact Adrienne Dresevic, Esq. or Carey F. Kalmowitz, Esq. For more information on government investigations, please contact Robert S. Iwrey, Esq. For assistance with compliance please contact Abby Pendleton, Esq. or Jessica L. Gustafson, Esq. All attorneys may be reached at (248) 996-8510 or (212) 734-0128. More information may also be obtained at the HLP website.