Chandler woman, owner of health care equipment company, sentenced in Medicare fraud case

The owner of a health care equipment company in southern Arizona was recently sentenced to three years in prison for defrauding Medicare, according to federal prosecutors.

Frances Jones, 52, of Chandler, was sentenced Friday to 36 months in prison before U.S. District Court Judge John C. Hinderaker, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tucson. Jones pleaded guilty to health care fraud. 

The court also ordered Jones to pay $862,762.32 in restitution for losses to the Medicare program as a result of the fraudulent scheme.

Jones, the owner and operator of Oxicheck Northwest in Bisbee, is a licensed Medicare provider of durable medical equipment.    

She admitted to fraudulently billing Medicare between 2011 and March 2018 for durable medical equipment that was not given to patients, according to the news release. Jones also used Medicare patient and medical provider identification without their knowledge or consent, the release stated.

“This sentencing demonstrates the seriousness of Ms. Jones’ actions. Stealing Medicare funds and patients’ medical identities is not a victimless crime,” Timothy B. DeFrancesca, special agent in charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said in the statement. “With the aid of our law enforcement partners, we will continue protecting federal health care programs.”

Medicare recipients were reminded to monitor billing statements to ensure that the services documented were provided. To report any suspected fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).  

Reach breaking news editor Mike Cruz at michael.cruz@azcentral.com or on Twitter at @mikecnews.