Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Medicaid ID Information

There are numerous ways in which an unsuspecting individual can be harmed through identity theft. Organizations and government agencies might also suffer financial losses when personal information is misappropriated. Identity theft involving Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries is a serious issue that undermines the integrity of these vital programs and hurts the individuals they are designed to serve.

Two Floridians tried to beat the system by purchasing Medicare identification numbers and using them to submit over $8.4 million in fraudulent claims for unwanted and unnecessary COVID-19 tests. Corey Alston and Latresia A. Wilson were caught and pleaded guilty to stealing the beneficiary data. Both could spend up to five years in prison. 

Given the cost of medical treatment and equipment, the illegal theft of Medicare beneficiary numbers could generate a great deal of money over a short period of time. For Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, the misuse of their personal information can lead to denied claims, incorrect medical records and significant stress. Beneficiaries may also face challenges in accessing the care they need if their benefits are tied up in fraudulent activity.

Strict laws are in place to safeguard patient privacy and guard against misuse of personal information. However, breaches do occur. People who work within the healthcare industry often have the opportunity to see Medicare numbers and other information not widely available to the public. Given the size of the healthcare coverage systems such as Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare, it could take a long time for authorities to realize that claims are being submitted using stolen information. 

That’s why whistleblowers are so vital when it comes to stopping healthcare fraud. A worker who notices someone in the office copying down beneficiary numbers or confidential information might be able to prevent serious harm from occurring, but only they speak up. If you notice something that seems improper but aren’t sure what to do, reaching out to Kardell Law Group is a good place to start. Our firm represents whistleblowers in a wide range of cases, including qui tam actions where an individual who suspects fraud against the government files suit against the alleged wrongdoer and then can collect a share of any recovery.