Man Convicted Of 19 Felonies Over Medicare Scheme
Authorities believe Hong “recruited” Medicare beneficiaries for massage and acupuncture treatments, even though those treatments aren't eligible for reimbursement. Prosecutors allege that Hong’s clinics falsely claimed that the patients had received physical therapy.
Orange County Register:
Brea Man Convicted Of Multimillion-Dollar Medicare Fraud
A Brea man faces decades behind bars after being convicted of using his rehabilitation clinics to submit millions of dollars in false Medicare claims. A jury at the U.S. District Courthouse on Wednesday convicted Simon Hong, 54, of 19 felonies, including healthcare fraud, making illegal kickbacks and identity theft. Hong, who is also known as Seong Wook Hong, ran several medical clinics in Los Angeles County, including Hong’s Medical Management, Inc., CMH Practice Solution and Solution Inc. (Emery, 10/24)
In other news from across the state —
Sacramento Bee:
Teal Pumpkins Steer Food Alergic Trick-Or-Treaters To Houses Handing Out Non-Edible Treats
Scattered among the scarecrows and gourds in front of the Sorrells’ south Arden home is a bright turquoise pumpkin, an out-of-place item that pops out among the fall colors and catches the attention of passers-by. To explain the odd detail, Kitty Sorrells has posted a turquoise sign declaring, “We are allergy friendly!” The sign and the pumpkin signal her participation in the Teal Pumpkin Project, a national effort by nonprofit organization Food Allergy Research and Education to get people to hand out allergy-safe candy alternatives such as glow sticks and bouncy balls this Halloween. (Caiola, 10/24)