Three People Charged for Allegedly Scamming Medicare Out of Millions in Hospice Care Fraud Scheme

On Tuesday, several suspects, Callie Jean Black, 63; Dr. Victor Contreras, 66 and Juanita Antenor, were all named in a 14-count indictment after allegedly scamming Medicare out of more than $30 million for hospice care for patients who weren’t terminally ill. Black and Contreras were reportedly taken into custody on Tuesday. Prosecutors say Antenor would charge Medicare and Medical for services that were never provided through two hospice companies that she owns.

Contreras allegedly was on probation by the California Medical Board but is said to have provided fake certifications for some patients. Some of whom he claimed to have examined but never did.

“Contreras, who was on probation imposed by the California Medical Board while he was part of the scheme, provided fraudulent certifications for some of these patients, including patients he claimed to have examined, but never actually saw,” according to the indictment, KNX News reports.

Antenor would collect patients referred to her two companies by paying marketers. Antenor and Black will also face charges regarding illegal kickbacks. Both could potentially serve up to 40 years in prison.