A retired chief of surgery at 2 Florida hospitals is the latest in a string of more than 30 healthcare providers and patients to be convicted in a $22 million Medicare fraud scheme that took place between 2006 and 2009.

Fred Dweck, MD, former chief of surgery at Hollywood Medical Center and Pembroke Pines Memorial Hospital in Broward County, pleaded guilty and was sentenced last week to 2 years in prison and 2 subsequent years of home confinement for his involvement in the scheme, which earned him $200,000 in 2009 alone, reports the Miami Herald.

The 75-year-old retired surgeon admitted to playing a key role in the Medicare fraud conspiracy by signing prescriptions and orders that made it seem like patients needed home health care for insulin injections and other medical services they didn't actually require. A federal investigation into south Florida home-care agencies uncovered $37 million in fraudulent claims and $22 million in payments over a 4-year period.

More than 30 other doctors, nurses, patient recruiters and patients have been charged and convicted in connection with the scheme. Dr. Dweck faced 6 to 7 years in prison, but U.S. District Judge Adalberto Jordan sentenced him to only 2 years in prison plus the 2 years of house arrest due to his poor health and advancing age, according to the Herald.

Irene Tsikitas