A conspiracy to bill Medicare for patients who did not qualify for home health services cost the taxpayers $18.7 million, says DoJ, and will cost at least some of the healthcare professionals involved in the scheme their liberty.  Eight Miami-area nurses were sentenced to prison today for their roles in the home health Medicare fraud scheme in connection with Miami-based home health companies, ABC Home Health, Inc. and Florida Home Health Providers, Inc.:

• Diana Sanabia, 36, registered nurse (R.N.), was sentenced to 30 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $594,000 in restitution;
• Daisy Santos, 43, R.N., was sentenced to 30 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $699,000 in restitution;
• Roberto Rodriguez, 44, R.N., was sentenced to 30 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $603,900 in restitution;
• Marlene Magadan, 36, R.N., was sentenced to 24 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $334,200 in restitution;
• Maria Perez, 49, R.N., was sentenced to 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $180,600 in restitution;
• Alberto Alvarez, 55, R.N., was sentenced to 15 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $101,800;
• Yanisley Chao, 32, licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.), was sentenced to 5 months in prison, two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $66,800 in restitution; and
• Leonardo Malagon, 40, L.P.N., was sentenced to 5 months in prison, two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $65,900 in restitution.

Additionally, a doctor allegedly involved in the conspiracy, Jorge Dieppa, M.D., was charged in July of last year and awaits trial.

To report home health fraud, contact Frohsin & Barger.