A shocking case of Medicare fraud has come to light in Brooklyn, New York. Ho Yon Kim, an 86-year-old physician and president of two medical clinics, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.
According to court documents, Kim was the president of URI Medical Service PC and Sarang Medical PC, both located in Flushing, and a rendering physician at both clinics. Between March 2007 and October 2011, Kim conspired with others to induce Medicare beneficiaries to allow their Medicare numbers to be billed for medical services that were never provided or were not medically necessary.
In exchange for these services, the beneficiaries were provided with a variety of spa services such as massages, facials, lunches, and dancing classes.
The scheme resulted in more than $11.7 million in fraudulent Medicare claims. Kim faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a sentencing date has not yet been set.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Nicholas S. Acker and Bryan D. Fields of the Criminal Division’s Fraud section, and was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). The case was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
As part of the strike force, more than 1,480 defendants have been charged who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $4.8 billion since its inception in March 2007. The HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, is taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Kim’s guilty plea is a significant blow to those who would seek to exploit the Medicare system for personal gain. His case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting against healthcare fraud.
The details of Kim’s case are as follows:
Defendant: Ho Yon Kim
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud
City and State: Brooklyn, New York
Date: March 2007 to October 2011
Sentence: Faces up to 10 years in prison
Dollar Amount: More than $11.7 million in fraudulent Medicare claims
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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