News Summary
Michael L. Riggins, a West Monroe resident, pleaded guilty to health care fraud, admitting to a conspiracy that defrauded Medicare of over $3.8 million. Riggins operated Bluewater Healthcare and falsely acquired DME orders from doctors, submitting fraudulent claims over five years. Despite numerous complaints, he continued his actions. Sentencing is scheduled for October 2, 2025, where he faces a possible 10-year prison sentence as part of a broader federal initiative against health care fraud, which impacts legitimate patients in need of medical services.
West Monroe, Louisiana – Man Pleads Guilty to $3.8 Million Medicare Fraud
Michael L. Riggins, a 62-year-old resident of West Monroe, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud in a scheme that defrauded Medicare of more than $3.8 million. Riggins was the owner of Bluewater Healthcare, a durable medical equipment (DME) supply company located in the same town. The fraudulent activities took place over a five-year period from 2018 to 2023.
According to court documents, Riggins engaged in deceptive practices by purchasing doctors’ orders for DME that was not medically necessary. He manipulated healthcare providers into signing DME orders and certificates of medical necessity, thereby allowing him to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare. This resulted in Riggins being reimbursed over $1.8 million from Medicare for these claims.
The fraudulent scheme persisted even after Riggins received hundreds of complaints regarding the questionable nature of the orders he was processing. His continued operation of the scam raises serious concerns about the enforcement of regulations within the healthcare system.
Upcoming Sentencing and Potential Penalties
Riggins is scheduled to be sentenced on October 2, 2025, and he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for his involvement in the fraudulent activity. A federal district court judge will determine the final sentencing, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other statutory factors that may influence the decision.
This case was announced by Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, who is spearheading the prosecution alongside key officials including Matthew R. Galeotti, Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank, Trial Attorneys Samantha Usher and Kelly Z. Walters, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin McCoy.
Context on Health Care Fraud in the United States
The case against Riggins is part of a broader initiative known as the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, which has been active since March 2007. This program has charged over 5,800 defendants nationally, who collectively billed more than $30 billion in fraudulent claims. This illustrates the continuing challenge of health care fraud within the United States and the efforts of federal officials to combat this issue.
Fraudulent schemes like Riggins’ not only impact the integrity of the Medicare system but also take resources away from legitimate patients who are in need of medical equipment and services. It highlights the importance of vigilance and enforcement in the healthcare sector to protect against fraud and abuse.
The case remains a significant example of the ongoing efforts to clamp down on fraudulent practices that exploit the healthcare system, aiming to ensure that resources remain accessible and effective for those who truly need them.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- KNOE: West Monroe Man Pleads Guilty to Medicare Fraud
- Wikipedia: Health Care Fraud
- MyArkLaMiss: West Monroe Man Pleads Guilty to $3.8M Fraud
- Google Search: Health Care Fraud in the United States
- The News Star: Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Medicare
- KTBS: Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud Scheme
- Google News: Health Care Fraud
