A Florida woman who pleaded guilty in a healthcare fraud case was ordered to pay more than $5,700 in restitution, the Department of Justice announced March 4.
Teresa Johnson, the owner and operator of Tri-County Billing, pleaded guilty in October 2019 to involvement in a healthcare fraud scheme. She submitted illegal claims on behalf of a local physician who financially helped her open the medical billing company, prosecutors said.
The physician operated three clinics, where he allegedly employed numerous healthcare providers who weren't authorized to perform or bill for medical services. Under the physician's guidance, Ms. Johnson knowingly billed the federal government for services performed by these "prohibited" providers, according to prosecutors.
In April 2019, the physician filed for bankruptcy on behalf of the medical practice. He has since died.
In addition to paying back a portion of proceeds from the scheme, Ms. Johnson was sentenced to five years of probation and four months of home detention for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.