Health Splash Founder Convicted in $1 Billion Medicare Fraud Scheme
A federal jury in the Southern District of Florida found Brett Blackman, the founder and owner of Health Splash, guilty of conspiracy related to defrauding Medicare, amounting to over $1 billion.
Blackman, along with his accomplices, allegedly targeted vast numbers of Medicare beneficiaries, convincing them to accept unnecessary medical braces and other products. To facilitate the fraud, they had doctors supposedly conducting telemedicine sign fake prescriptions, allowing them to bill Medicare. The Justice Department reports that Blackman and his associates fraudulently billed Medicare and other federal healthcare programs for more than $1 billion for these unwarranted items.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche expressed the gravity of the situation, stating that this operation represented “one of the most egregious fraud schemes in Florida history.” He emphasized that this ploy stole massive amounts from American taxpayers, including many vulnerable Medicare recipients. It was a calculated scheme targeting the elderly and sick, preying on those in need of real healthcare, and pushing them to buy unnecessary medical supplies.
Blanche reassured the public that efforts would continue until all those responsible for defrauding American citizens faced accountability.
According to Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald, the operation utilized a widespread telemarketing scheme involving foreign call centers to exploit elderly citizens and misappropriate government health benefits. He affirmed that the Fraud Division remains committed to actively prosecuting healthcare fraud and ensuring the integrity of the system.
The jury found Blackman guilty on multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to provide and receive kickbacks, among other charges. Interestingly, a Justice Department release featured a photo of Blackman wearing a necklace with a large dollar sign.
This case is part of broader efforts initiated during the Trump administration to combat healthcare fraud nationwide. According to recent estimates, the rate of improper payments in traditional Medicare has decreased from 12.7% in FY2014 to 7.66% in FY2024, which reflects ongoing reforms in this sector.
