Detroit Home Health Manager Pleads Guilty in $13.8 Million Fraud Scheme

A Detroit man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud after managing a $13.8 million Medicare fraud scheme, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

Jawad Ahmed managed home health agency Physicians Choice Home Health Care LLC (Physicians Choice), and used the company to deliver kickbacks to recruiters who supplied him with billing information of Medicare beneficiaries. Ahmed then billed Medicare for home health services that were never needed or performed, according to court documents. 

Through Physicians Choice, Ahmed also allegedly gave kickbacks to Medicare beneficiaries who pre-signed forms and visit sheets saying they received health services that were never actually performed, according to court documents. 

Ahmed also managed Phoenix Visiting Physicians LLC from May 2010 to Sept. 2011. Co-conspirtator Dwight Smith signed home care referrals for Medicare beneficiaries he had not seen or treated, and the company employed non-lincensed doctors who performed unnecessary home care evaluations to non-homebound patients. 

In a one year period, Ahmed and co-conspirators additionally acquired First Care Home Health Care LLC, Quantum Home Care Inc., and Moonlit Home Care Inc.

Ahmed will face a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines at his sentencing on Nov. 28. 

Written by Erin Hegarty