News Summary
Two women from South Carolina have been indicted for health care fraud as part of a nationwide crackdown. They are accused of submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare and the Veterans Administration, totaling millions of dollars. The initiative highlights serious issues in the healthcare system related to fraudulent activities, prompting strong federal enforcement efforts.
Florence, S.C. — Two South Carolina women have been charged in connection with the largest national health care fraud takedown in history, as the Department of Justice launched its 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. This initiative resulted in the indictment of 324 individuals nationwide for various schemes to defraud the American health care system.
Tina Marie Armstrong, 67, from Florence, S.C., has been indicted on charges of health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. Armstrong is accused of submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid through her company, Safe at Home Medical Equipment and Supplies, LLC. The claims, totaling $198,981.55, were allegedly for durable medical equipment that was either not in service, never delivered, or lacked physician authorization. Out of these fraudulent claims, approximately $104,577.74 was reportedly paid out.
Additionally, Dee Alice Moton, 51, from Hephzibah, Georgia, faces charges for health care fraud related to billing the Veterans Administration (VA). In her case, Moton allegedly billed the VA for $2,373,147.22 over two years for massage therapy services that were never rendered through her business, Flowing Hands Massage Clinical Therapy.
Both Armstrong and Moton will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina. The cases highlight significant issues within the health care system regarding fraudulent claims, which have been a key focus of this sweeping national enforcement effort.
The 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown has been characterized as extensive, with allegations involving over $14.6 billion in fraudulent billings and the illegal diversion of more than 15 million pills. Federal officials have seized around $245 million in cash and assets linked to these fraudulent activities, signaling a strong commitment to combating health care fraud.
The initiative targeted various enforcement aspects encompassing fraudulent claims against Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, and private insurance companies. U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling emphasized the dedication to safeguarding vulnerable populations, particularly veterans, from the deleterious effects of health care fraud.
As the legal proceedings advance, both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, they could face significant prison sentences and be ordered to make restitution for the funds obtained through their fraudulent claims.
This health care fraud takedown continues to underscore the importance of vigilance in the health care system and the necessity of holding accountable those who exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain. The case of Armstrong and Moton serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining the integrity of health care services across the United States.
The outcomes of these cases will add to the ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency within the health care industry, reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting both taxpayers and individuals relying on essential medical services.
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Additional Resources
- WPDE: Florence Woman Arrested
- Wikipedia: Health Care Fraud
- WBTV: North & South Carolina Residents Arrested
- Google Search: Health Care Fraud Takedown
- FitsNews: Health Care Fraud Takedown Indictments
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraud
- WMBF News: Florence County Healthcare Worker Charged
- Google News: Health Care Fraud
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
