Attorney General Moody Fights Medicaid Fraud as Enrollment Increases Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Attorney General Ashley Moody continues to fight price gouging, scams and fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic and resulting economic crises deepen, enrollment in Florida’s Medicaid Program is increasing. More than four million Floridians now rely on Medicaid for health coverage, creating more opportunity for criminals to exploit the government benefit to steal taxpayer money. Attorney General Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is committed to identifying, investigating and stopping fraud in the government health care program. Since Attorney General Moody took office in January 2019, MFCU has secured more than $54 million in settlements and judgments as a direct result of actions brought by the office. MFCU also conducted investigations leading to the arrests of nearly 90 individuals charged with Medicaid fraud.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “With thousands more Floridians now depending on Medicaid as a result of COVID-19, there is more opportunity than ever before for fraudsters to take advantage of this program. Rest assured that we will not tolerate it. My Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will continue to aggressively pursue fraudsters and seek to recover taxpayer funds. Our analysts, attorneys, auditors and investigators are dedicated to protecting the integrity of the Medicaid program by bringing to justice anyone who would leverage this health care crisis to exploit the hardworking taxpayers of this state.” Read More

Attorney General Moody Secures Restitution for Businesses and Seeks Others Duped by Certificate of Status Scam

Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a settlement that provides restitution to businesses scammed into purchasing unnecessary corporate certificate services. The proposed stipulated consent judgment, submitted to the court for approval, resolves an action filed by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division against Leandro Rodriguez, owner of Florida State Filing Corporate and Certificate Filing Service, for sending deceptive and misleading solicitations to businesses regarding the certificates. The solicitations gave the misleading impression of being from the state and sought payment for a certificate of status that the solicitations falsely indicated were required by the state. Certificates of status are not required to do business in the State of Florida. Attorney General Moody encourages businesses and individuals who purchased the unnecessary certificates to contact the Florida Attorney General’s Office.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This individual tricked Florida businesses into purchasing certificates of service under the guise that the documents were necessary to continue operating legally. This is an outright scam and my office is taking action to secure restitution for victims of this deception that targeted businesses in Florida. If you or anyone you know purchased one of these unnecessary certificates, please contact my office.” Read More

Attorney General Moody Hosts Symposium with Federal and State Agencies Regarding COVID-19 Schemes Targeting Medicaid

Attorney General Ashley Moody hosted a COVID-19 related Medicaid fraud symposium with federal and state agencies. Representatives from all three of Florida’s U.S. Attorney Offices, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Health and Human Services Inspector General’s Office and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration participated in the virtual event. The discussion focused on the recent increase in Medicaid enrollment nationwide and fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The group also discussed ways state and federal agencies can partner to protect taxpayer money and stop fraud and identity theft amid the current health crisis.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “My Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has been working throughout this pandemic to identify, investigate and stop fraudsters exploiting this important taxpayer-funded health care program. As a result of this health crisis and the resulting economic downturn, Florida is experiencing an increase in Medicaid enrollment. The goal of the symposium was to bolster our individual and collective efforts to stay ahead of fraud trends related to the increased enrollment and COVID-19, and strengthen partnerships vital to upholding the integrity of the Medicaid program in Florida.” Read More