The DOJ just announced the conviction of, Jaroslava Ruiz, for her role in a scheme that defrauded private health insurers of approximately $34.6 million. Ruiz, of Chapel Hill, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and 10 counts of health care fraud.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Ruiz and her co-conspirators submitted over $34 million in false and fraudulent physical therapy services claims. Specifically, they provided kickbacks to patient recruiters, and patients, in exchange for allowing four Miami physical therapy clinics to submit bills for fraudulent medical services. Ruiz and her co-conspirators falsified medical records in furtherance of their scheme to make their services appear medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor. However, according to trial evidence, nearly all services billed for were not provided. Ruiz and her co-conspirators were paid approximately $7.7 million for the false and fraudulent claims they submitted to private insurers.
Ruiz is scheduled to be sentenced on October 26, 2022. She faces up to 120 years in federal prison— up to 20 years on the conspiracy count and up to 10 years on each health care fraud count. The FBI is still investigating this matter.
The attorneys at Chilivis Grubman represent clients of all types and sizes in connection to health care litigation, health care fraud investigations, and white-collar criminal matters. If you need assistance with such a matter, please contact us today.