Dr. Mehmet Oz has pointed to California as a central area for significant health care fraud, emphasizing his commitment to “eliminate these predators from the system.”
He expressed concern, stating, “Taking advantage of society’s most vulnerable isn’t just immoral; it could rob them of their futures,” in comments made to the Post on Thursday.
This announcement follows Oz’s discovery of a concentration of hospice facilities in the Van Nuys area of Los Angeles, where he reported that numerous such establishments exist within just a few blocks.
“There are 42 hospices in this small section of Los Angeles,” Oz mentioned in a social media clip. “So, there are two possibilities: either this area is seeing a lot of deaths, or there’s widespread fraud occurring.”
A reporter from a local publication visited several of these facilities, speaking with staff at three of them.
No patients were found in beds at those locations. Workers explained that these facilities are not designed to provide inpatient care; instead, nurses make house calls.
Some employees claimed that Oz was unfairly targeting neighborhoods with large Armenian populations.
Governor Newsom also expressed his objections to Oz’s approach, announcing that his office is launching a civil rights lawsuit over what he deems unfounded racist allegations against Armenian Americans in the state.
He indicated that such statements could discourage individuals from participating in important federal health care programs, as noted in his official letter.
In a video, Oz visited the site of a previously operational hospice, rumored to be closed now. This facility had previously seen the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services halt $500,000 in Medicare payments due to credible fraud allegations.
A spokesperson for CMS stated that the agency consistently monitors for unusual billing activities and beneficiary complaints. When fraud is suspected, various measures are taken, including halting payments and collaborating with law enforcement.
CMS has recently enhanced its hospice oversight strategies, including unannounced inspections, restrictions on new provider contracts, and rigorous enrollment reviews.
The Post inquired about specific fraud cases currently being investigated, but Oz’s office reported they “do not comment on ongoing or future investigations.”
“When malicious individuals deceive patients into fraudulent hospice care, they’re not only misusing taxpayer money; they’re denying essential medical care that could extend lives,” Oz stated.
“This is morally unacceptable, and we are determined to rid the system of these predators.”
