Seven Things To Know When You Receive A Notice Of Investigation From The Department Of Health

Florida Telemedicine Company Owner Pleads Guilty to $46 Million Medicare Fraud

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On March 27, 2026, the owner of a Florida telemedicine company pleaded guilty to orchestrating a $46.2 million Medicare fraud scheme that spanned over the course of six years, the Justice Department announced.

The Florida Businesses Involved.

Christopher Harwood admitted to owning and operating TelevisitMD, a Florida telemedicine company he used to defraud Medicare. He also owned and operated multiple durable medical equipment (DME) supply companies in Florida, through which he fraudulently billed Medicare as part of the scheme.

How the Scheme Was Carried Out.

The Florida man and his accomplices used aggressive telemarketing to pressure Medicare patients into accepting unneeded orthotic braces and genetic tests. A key part of the fraudulent plan involved Harwood paying doctors to approve orders for the medically unnecessary devices and tests. The Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that these doctors failed to comply with Medicare’s rules for telemedicine appointments. These providers lacked real medical relationships with Medicare patients. They often signed orders without proper patient interaction.

After obtaining the doctor’s orders, Harwood sold them to DME supply companies involved in the scheme. The DOJ’s press release says he used the DME supply companies he owned in Florida to fraudulently bill Medicare for millions of dollars.

The Result of the Scheme.

In total, at least $46.2 million in false and fraudulent claims were submitted to Medicare during the years-long scheme. The Medicare program paid $17.9 million for those claims, and Harwood personally pocketed more than $10.4 million, according to the DOJ.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, agreed to pay $17.9 million in restitution, and faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

Takeaways From This Case.

What are the “takeaways” from this case if you are a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant?

1. Never allow your name or provider number to be used by someone else. If you discover someone else is using it, immediately retain the services of an experienced health lawyer.

2. Never approve prescriptions or orders for someone who is not your established patient or whom you have not examined in person.

3. Be very concerned if you find out your name, license, and provider number are being used or have been used for one of the traditional, well-known medical billing scams, like those discussed in this blog (unnecessary genetic testing and DME for back braces, leg braces, etc.).

Contact a Health Law Attorney Experienced in Medicare and Health Care Fraud Issues Today.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent physicians, pharmacists, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, and other health care providers in Medicare audits, investigations and subpoenas, Medicaid audits and subpoenas, Medicare and Medicaid investigations, Department of Health (DOH) subpoenas and investigations, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) subpoenas and investigations, and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) subpoenas, audits and investigations, in Florida, Louisiana, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and across the U.S. They also represent healthcare providers in actions to terminate billing privileges, termination from the Medicare or Medicaid programs, and state and federal administrative hearings and litigation.

For more information, please visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com, call us at (407) 331-6620 or toll-free at (888) 331-6620.

Sources:

“Florida telemedicine owner pleads guilty in $46M Medicare fraud scheme.” The Washington Times. (March 30, 2026). Web.

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. “Telemedicine Company Owner Pleads Guilty to $46M Medicare Fraud Scheme.” Press Release. (March 27, 2026). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

Copyright © 2026 George F. Indest III, The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any way in any medium without the written permission of the copyright owner. The author of this work reserves the right to have his name associated with any use or publication of this work or any part of it.

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M.

Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

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