Bensalem Couple Settles Medicare Fraud Case

BENSALEM, PA — A Bensalem couple that owned an ambulance company have agreed to a pay more than $450,000 to resolve charges they defrauded Medicare.

Damon Wade and his ex-wife, Amy Wade, will pay $459,907.42 to settle charges that they made repeated false statements to state and federal officials, the U.S. Attorney's office in Philadelphia announced.

The couple, who owned Unicare Ambulance, also agreed to not participate professionally in anything involving federal healthcare programs for five years.

According to charges against them in U.S. District Court, the Wades made false statements from September 2015 through August 2016 to avoid overpayment debts to the federal Medicare program. They also hid the fact that Damon Wade's state paramedic license had been suspended because he admitted to forging a doctor's signature, prosecutors said.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health revoked Unicare's ambulance license, but the company continued to provide services and bill Medicare for them, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

"Ownership disclosure and licensing requirements ensure that healthcare in Pennsylvania is provided by qualified, competent, and trustworthy professionals," said U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain. "Attempts to undermine or defraud those systems put Pennsylvanians at risk and allow sleazy operators to continue providing services under new corporate identities.

"This settlement is the latest example of my office’s commitment to using all of our enforcement tools to ensure that healthcare providers are legitimate and that any debts that they incur to American taxpayers are paid."

The investigation was conducted with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of General Counsel.

Under the settlement, the Wades did not have to legally accept liability in the case and the claims resolved by it remain allegations only.