Feds accuse South Florida businessmen of exploiting the pandemic to bilk Medicare
Jay Weaver, The Miami Herald
May 27—A handful of South Florida healthcare businessmen have been charged with bilking the federal government of millions of dollars in schemes by exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic and billing for unnecessary medical services.
As part of a nationwide crackdown this week, the Justice Department charged Michael Stein and Leonel Palatnik, both of Palm Beach County, with running a $73 million conspiracy to defraud the Medicare health insurance program while paying and receiving kickbacks during the pandemic.
Stein, owner of a purported consulting company, and Palatnik, owner of a Texas company that provides lab testing, are accused of exploiting temporary waivers of telehealth restrictions during the pandemic by offering medical providers access to Medicare patients for whom they could bill consultations.