Appeals Court Upholds Merida Hospice Fraud Convictions

The Fifth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld the convictions of former Merida Health Group owner Rodney Mesquais and CEO Henry McInnis for their involvement in a $152 million hospice fraud case. In those convictions, Mesquais and McInnis received prison sentences of 25 and 15 years, respectively. The appeals court decision coincides […]

Excel Hospice Owner Pleads Guilty in Kickback Case

Liana Karapetyan has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks. Karapetyan is co-owner of Excel Hospice, ANG Health Care, and Excel Home Healthcare, all based in California.  Karapetyan and a co-owner of those companies are accused of paying at least […]

Merida Group Operations Manager Sentence to 27 Months for Hospice Fraud

Jose Garza, operations manager for the Merida Group was handed a 27-month sentence for his participation in a $154 million hospice fraud scheme. Garza had overseen the recruitment of patients at several Merida locations. According to court documents, he helped market Merida as “a hospice you don’t have to die to use.” According to prosecutors, […]

Novus Hospice CEO Pleads Guilty to Fraud Scheme

Bradley Harris, former head of Texas-based Novus and Optimum Health Services, is facing up to 14 years in federal prison for his role in defrauding Medicare and Medicaid out of tens of millions in falsified health care claims. The hospice agency’s CEO recently pled guilty for his involvement and is currently awaiting a sentencing hearing […]

Mhiramarc Exec Sentenced in $28 Million Hospice Fraud Scheme

Antonio Olivera, administrator of Southern California-based home health and hospice agency Mhiramarc Management LLC, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a Medicare fraud scheme involving $28 million in falsified health care claims.  Olivera pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud in November 2020, resulting in […]

Merida CEO Sentenced to 15 Years for Hospice Fraud

CEO Henry McInnis of Merida Health Group in Texas has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a $154 million Medicare fraud scheme involving false claims for hospice care. A jury in 2020 found McInnis, company owner Rodney Mesquias, and medical director Francisco Pena guilty of conspiracy to commit health care […]