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Press Release

Prosthetic Device Company Pleads Guilty To Health Care Fraud

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Suncoast Brace & Limb, Inc. (“SCBL”), based in Bradenton, today pleaded guilty to health care fraud. The corporation faces a maximum fine of $500,000 and the payment of restitution at the time of sentencing. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, between July 2009 and March 2012, SCBL engaged in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services through a pattern of submitting fraudulent claims for prosthetic devices that had allegedly been provided to patients. In reality, SCBL often submitted reimbursement claims to Medicare and Medicaid for prosthetic devices that were either unnecessary or duplicative, or that were not at all compatible with the needs of the particular patient. As a consequence of these actions, SCBL received reimbursement from Medicaid and Medicare in the amount of approximately $1,493,368. Under the terms of the plea agreement, SCBL will pay restitution to the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, SCBL and its principal owner will be excluded from participation in federal health care programs for a substantial period of time.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services-Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Florida Office of the Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

Updated September 11, 2015

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Health Care Fraud