An Illinois woman was convicted over plans to defraud Medicare of over $6 million, the U.S. Justice Department said Nov. 17.
Rhonda Sutton worked as an unlicensed medical addistant for a physician in Chicago and surrounding suburbs from at least 2009 until at least 2012, according to the DOJ. She conspired with others to fraudulantly certify Medicare beneficiaries for home healthcare services they didn't qualify for.
Ms. Sutton forged her physician employer's signature on certification forms and supporting documentation, the DOJ said. This led to Medicare beneficiaries to be enrolled in more than 2,000 episodes of care at A&Z and Dominion home health agencies, both in Lansing, Ill.
The agencies paid kickbacks to Ms. Sutton and recieved more than $6 million from Medicare.
Ms. Sutton is scheduled for sentencing in March 2023. She faces a maximum 10 years in prison.