Patrick Osemwengie, Medicare Kickbacks, Texas 2023

A 43-year-old health care marketer in Texas has been accused of paying and receiving health care kickbacks. Patrick Osemwengie, of Richmond, has been indicted in a conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Authorities took Patrick Osemwengie, 43-year-old health care marketer, into custody today in Houston. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray at 2 p.m.

The indictment, returned July 12, alleges Osemwengie paid Medicare beneficiaries to sign up for home health services and made referrals to specific companies. According to the charges, Osemwengie allegedly received more than $25,000 in kickback payments for referring patients to Grace Healthcare Services and Ebra Health Care Services.

The health care companies submitted claims to Medicare using the patients Osemwengie referred, federal law prohibits paying and receiving money for referrals. If convicted, Osemwengie faces up to five years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General and FBI conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Abdul Farukhi is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Osemwengie, 43, a Richmond man, is accused of Medicare kickbacks in Texas. He faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. The investigation was conducted by the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General and FBI.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/richmond-man-arrested-making-illegal-referrals