As an update to yesterdays post, Michael De Jesus Huarte, who ran a clinic that committed Medicare Fraud in Miami, as well as several other southern states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Georgia, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Huarte pleaded guilty to Medicare Fraud and Money Laundering, as well as several other charges last year, which stemmed from over $100 Million in fraudulent claims. Many of these claims were associated with HIV treatment. Huarte was sentenced yesterday, Wednesday January 27 2009, to 22 years in prison. In total, six people were indicted with Huarte, who were found to be complicit in Medicare Fraud. However, three of these defendants have been reported to have fled Miami or at least did not show up for their sentencing.

Medicare Fraud is very common and often involves filing false claims for durable medical equipment, although as is the case with Huarte, many also bill Medicare for procedures that are not preformed. Medicare, which is a state run insurance program mainly aimed at providing affordable health care to those over 65, has a long history of problems with fraudulent claims, so it is common for the courts to hand out very strict sentences in an effort to make an example of those who are caught.