Mehmet Oz confronts Queens adult day care centers over Medicaid fraud probe

Key Points:

• CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz personally confronted employees at two New York City senior care centers, Kent Senior Care and Evergreen Adult Day Care, over suspected Medicaid fraud during a broader federal crackdown involving multiple agencies.
• Oz challenged the facilities on questionable billing practices, including discrepancies in attendance records, billing for wheelchair transportation services not visibly provided, and charging for activities like mahjong, questioning the proper use of taxpayer funds.
• Attendance sheets at Evergreen Adult Day Care contained future dates, suggesting possible fraudulent documentation, while Oz alleged organized criminal networks, including ties to the "Chinese mafia," were exploiting Medicaid programs by paying seniors to participate in fraudulent billing schemes.
• The crackdown included over 80 visits across NYC, with federal authorities conducting arrests and search warrants, aiming to curb a Medicaid fraud industry approaching $1 billion annually, which Oz criticized for accelerating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed the state's involvement in the coordinated effort to combat Medicaid fraud and abuse at social adult day care programs, though investigations remain ongoing with no immediate details on evidence or individuals implicated.