For homebound patients, Medicaid covers home health aide services that provides assistance with daily activities and the needs like bathing, housekeeping, and even shopping. An outstanding program designed to maintain independence and quality of life for individuals with limited financial resources. And unfortunately, a program that is a target for fraudsters, like Oskana Kredens.
Kredens conspired with companies that supplies home-based personal assistance services to Medicaid recipients in Philadelphia and other counties in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. These services, while billed to Medicaid, were often not provided. Instead, Kredens devised a cash-for-services scheme with Medicaid recipients, bypassing the intended care delivery. And stealing from the U.S. taxpayer.
For some supposed recipients, Kredens worked out arrangements to pay them cash instead of providing care. Kredens recruited people to be employed on paper by the companies allegedly providing the care. On paper always looks different reality! The PAS companies billed and were paid for services as though the services had been rendered by the fake employees; the recipients received cash instead of the services; and the fake employee recruits, who frequently had cash income sources, were able to earn W-2 income. Kreden collected cash from each recruited worker in the amount of his or her payroll check or deposit, paid the recipients from the collected cash. Keeping the difference for herself.
In October 2023, Kredens pleaded guilty to conspiring to fraud.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Today’s Fraud of The Day is based on article “Shocking Medicaid Scam: How a Philadelphia Woman Masterminded a Multi-Million Dollar Fraud!” published by MyChesCo on September 21, 2024.
Oksana Kredens, 60, of Philadelphia, has been sentenced Thursday to 20 months in federal prison for her role in a health care fraud conspiracy. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge, following Kredens’ guilty plea in October 2023. Her involvement in the fraudulent scheme has resulted in a three-year supervised release, the forfeiture of $81,000, and an obligation to pay $66,869 in restitution, alongside a $10,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.
Kredens’ fraudulent activities involved conspiring with companies purportedly offering home-based personal assistance services to Medicaid beneficiaries in Philadelphia and surrounding counties. These services, while billed to Medicaid, were often not provided. Instead, Kredens devised a cash-for-services scheme with recipients, effectively bypassing the intended care delivery.
