Maria P. Cosentino, the proprietor of Garfield Counseling Center in New Jersey, entered a guilty plea today for her involvement in a health care fraud scheme, as announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
The scheme, comprising hundreds of false claims, has raised concerns regarding the integrity of the health care system and the financial repercussions of fraudulent activities.
Cosentino, aged 60 and a resident of Garfield, New Jersey, appeared before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court, acknowledging her role in the elaborate fraud scheme.
“Patients rely on their health insurance plans for essential services. This defendant admitted today to falsifying claims to increase her payments, including inventing counseling sessions and other treatments,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
Cosentino’s scheme involved submitting false claims to private health insurance plans for counseling sessions that were never conducted. She falsely asserted that various individuals had received counseling at her center, despite some being abroad, discontinuing attendance, or never visiting the counseling center at all. This fraudulent activity prompted insurance plans to issue reimbursement checks to the center, resulting in over $700,000 in illicit profits.
“Fraudsters compromise the integrity of our health care system and essential treatment programs,” said Newark FBI Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy. “Cosentino has admitted to billing private health insurance companies for sessions with patients who were no longer part of her practice, were overseas, or did not exist. Such scams drain billions of dollars annually from the healthcare industry, affecting everyone.”
Cosentino’s guilty plea carries severe penalties, including a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing for Cosentino is scheduled for July 23, 2024.
The investigation leading to Cosentino’s guilty plea was credited to special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark. Assistant U.S. Attorney DeNae Thomas of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark represents the government in this case.
The case underscores the importance of upholding the integrity of the health care system and the continuous efforts to combat fraud that undermines trust and financial stability in essential services. Citizens are encouraged to report any similar fraudulent activities to the authorities for prompt action against perpetrators.