Massage Therapist, 15 Others Charged with Insurance Fraud

A licensed massage therapist in Miami, a physicians assistant and 14 massage clinic patients have been charged with insurance fraud and grand theft, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced Friday.

Judith Gonzalez, 39, owner of Flamingo Health Corp. in Miami, allegedly billed insurance companies nearly $250,000 in fraudulent insurance claims and coached patients on how to commit personal injury protection fraud, Atwaters office reported.

Fraud clinics such as this one were the driving force behind much-needed PIP reforms that passed during the 2012 legislative session, Atwater stated in a release. My office will remain diligent in putting those who abuse the system for their own personal gain behind bars."

The investigation was conducted by Atwaters Division of Insurance Fraud and the Miami-Dade Police Department Public Corruption Investigations Bureau.

Atwater and Gov. Rick Scott have pushed to reduce fraud in the supposedly low-cost system.Scott is expected to quickly sign a bill passed by the Legislature, HB 119, in the waning moments of the regular session.

The bill has yet to be sent to the governors office.

The bill, which doesnt cap attorney fees, gives people two weeks to seek medical help, allows chiropractors to treat patients, and imposes a prohibition on allowing massage therapists and acupuncturists to be eligible for PIP claims. Insurers would have 90 days to pay claims and an organization within the Division of Insurance Fraud would be created to combat motor vehicle insurance fraud.

Health-care practitioners found guilty of insurance fraud would have their licenses revoked for five years and banned from seeking PIP reimbursement for a decade.