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WellCare Fraud Cost FL How Much?

A federal judge says Florida lost $11 million in 2006 when WellCare executives committed Medicaid fraud, the Tampa Bay Times reports. That amount will influence the sentencing of three WellCare executives who were found guilty in June of Medicaid fraud.  Prosecutors had tried to convince U.S. District Judge James S. Moody Jr. the men “deprived the state of $28 million.”  Federal guidelines on prison sentences for health care-related convictions are based on how much the government has lost, with losses of more than $20 million triggering maximum penalties.

In a separate case, a Miami physician dubbed the “Rock Doc” struck a deal after pleading guilty in federal court Tuesday to millions of dollars in Medicare fraud and prescribing unlawful painkillers, the Miami Herald reports.  Christopher Gregory Wayne, a 54-year-old osteopathic physician, will turn over his home and 2002 Mercedes-Benz, and pay pay more than $2 million. He faces up to five years in prison.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.