“I was truly shocked to discover how bad the modern medical profession really is!”
―Steven Magee
By Alex P. Vidal
THE owner of the Miss Filipina International Pageant (MFI) was among those charged by the U.S. Department of Justice in relation to the $2 billion health care fraud in California.
Geoffrey Lapuz Jimenez, 60, of Los Angeles, was one of the 15 individuals charged by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to the United States Attorney’s Office Central District of California.
He allegedly operated a fraudulent hospice scheme through Transitions Hospice Inc.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Jimenez, a Filipino-American, enrolled nonterminal Medicare beneficiaries into hospice care and submitted claims for medically unnecessary and often unprovided services, resulting in approximately $9.8 million billed to Medicare and more than $8.3 million paid out.
Transitions allegedly had a non-death discharge rate of roughly 85 percent–more than four times the national average–indicating that beneficiaries were not terminally ill.
Jimenez and his marketers allegedly recruited seniors at community centers with offers of free medical services and, in many cases, illegal kickbacks.
-o0o-
The Fil-Am health care operator purportedly avoided the word “hospice,” instead describing “palliative services,” took photographs of beneficiaries’ identification, and completed paperwork outside their presence.
Beneficiaries consistently reported they had never been diagnosed with the terminal conditions listed on claims, had received little to no care despite dozens of visits billed, and only discovered their enrollment when contacted by Medicare or their primary care providers.
The complaint further alleged that Jimenez controlled more than a dozen additional hospice entities that collectively billed over $107 million in similar fraudulent claims, many showing non-death discharge rates above 75 percent and, in some cases, exceeding 90 percent.
Bank records indicate that Jimenez personally received more than $444,000 in direct transfers and routed hundreds of thousands more to family members, associates, and marketers.
Fraud proceeds were also allegedly used to make payments on vehicles purchased or financed in a beneficiary’s name without consent.
The FBI and HHS-OIG are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kerry L. Quinn and Alexandra Michael of the Major Frauds Section are prosecuting this case.
-o0o-
A Georgia-based entertainment magazine described Jimenez as “celebrity philanthropist and CEO” who used the MFI as a platform to amplify Filipina voices and inspire the next generation of young women to share their stories and accomplishments.
“Prior to his acquisition of the Miss Filipina International Pageant, Geoff found a way to achieve his dream of helping others by making his mark on the home health industry,” the entertainment magazine reported.
Home health care can help patients recover from illnesses and injuries in a way that conveniently allows them to maintain as much self-sufficiency as possible.
“In particular, Geoff used his home health companies to help the elderly, especially those on Native American reservations. By making home health services become more accessible, Geoff has helped countless individuals,” added the entertainment magazine.
“After achieving such immense success with home health, Geoff is now ready to lend his efforts and attention to the lifestyle industry.”
-o0o-
According to the magazine, MFI is passionate about empowering young women and giving them invaluable help with their professional growth through exposure, networking opportunities, and support from the community.
In the 2023 MFI pageant, each candidate had a shot to win impressive cash prizes, including a $10,000 Grand Prize with additional gift certificates and bonuses. As each young woman competed for enviable prizes, she would be able to share the ways in which she embodied the ambition, dedication, and generosity of Filipino culture, according to the magazine.
The pageant reportedly aimed to inspire the next generation of Filipina women to become leaders in their respective fields and proudly share their stories and successes.
(The author is based in New York City and used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)
No comments:
Post a Comment