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
