Corporate Compliance

Two Miami physicians admit to participation in HIV infusion scheme

Compliance Monitor, September 17, 2008

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On September 11, Miami physicians Carlos Contreras, M.D., and Ramon Pichardo, M.D., each pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare in connection with a $6.8 million HIV infusion fraud scheme, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release.
 
Contreras, owner of CNC Medical Inc. (CNC), a Miami clinic that specializes in treating HIV positive patients, admitted he conspired with Carlos Benitez, Luis Benitez, Thomas McKenzie, Pichardo, and others to operate CNC as a fraudulent HIV infusion clinic.
 
Contreras admitted from November 2002 to April 2004, CNC submitted bills for unnecessary procedures to Medicare that totaled $6.8 million and the clinic received $4.2 million in reimbursement. The Benitez brothers received a share of the profits for their role, which included referring HIV positive Medicare beneficiaries to CNC.
 
The Benitez brothers are fugitives. They were indicted June 11 for a massive infusion and money laundering scheme that allegedly defrauded $110 million from the Medicare program through similar arrangements with at least 11 South Florida infusion clinics.
 
To read the full DOJ press release click here



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