Maria Fernandez

A 62-year-old Miami woman has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for her role in a $5.7 million health care fraud scheme. In addition, Maria F. Fernandez was ordered to forfeit a townhouse she purchased with money from the scheme.

Hernandez pleaded guilty in August to health care fraud conspiracy. It was alleged she and others defrauded the Medicare program by submitting $5.7 million in fraudulent durable medical equipment claims between 2005 and 2006. Hernandez used a relative’s medical billing company to submit the false claims, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

Hernandez was paid $1.9 million based on false claims for equipment that was neither prescribed by doctors nor delivered to patients.