2 Convicted in $17M Medicare Fraud Scheme

Two people have been convicted in federal court in Baton Rouge, La., of running a scheme that defrauded Medicare of $17 million.

Louis T. Age, 64, of Slidell, and his former wife, 60-year-old Verna S. Age, of New Orleans, were convicted Friday.

The Advocate reports that the pair operated South Louisiana Home Health Care Inc., which provided home health care services to patients in the New Orleans and Houma areas.

The judge did not immediately set a sentencing date following Friday’s jury verdict.

Justice Department prosecutor Abigail Taylor reminded jurors Friday that they had heard Dr. Michael S. Hunter, 56, of New Orleans, testify that Louis Age arranged for him to receive $2,500 per month to prescribe home health care for patients the physician never examined.

Taylor repeated that number: “$2,500 a month just to sign orders for patients he never saw. That was Dr. Hunter’s job.”

As the firm’s director of nursing, “Verna participated in the fraud,” Taylor added.