Junyi Liu, an acupuncturist from Great Neck, N.Y., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, according to a March 27 news release from the Justice Department.
What happened?
- Between 2018 and 2021, she led a scheme that billed Medicare and other insurers for fake or unnecessary acupuncture and phy sical therapy services at clinics throughout New York City.
- Ms. Liu worked with other licensed professionals to submit false claims, falsify records and pay patients kickbacks for their insurance information. Some patients received minimal or no treatment, while some never visited the clinics at all.
- Ms. Liu also bribed insurance employees with cash and luxury items to sustain the fraud.
- She illegally collected COVID-19 unemployment benefits for herself and a family member while continuing to operate her clinics.
- Ms. Liu agreed to pay $23.9 million in restitution, $40,000 to the state and forfeit $15.4 million. She faces up to 10 years in prison.
Who else was involved?
- Seven co-conspirators have also pleaded guilty.
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