Woman gets prison in Medicare fraud plot

A woman who worked as a patient recruiter for several Louisiana medical equipment companies has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for her role in a Medicare fraud scheme.

U.S. District Judge James Brady in Baton Rouge also on Tuesday ordered 47-year-old Karen Rayburn to pay nearly $3.2 million in restitution.

Rayburn, of Baton Rouge, pleaded guilty in January to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

Prosecutors say falsified prescriptions for leg braces, wheel chairs and other equipment that she obtained were used to submit fraudulent claims to the Medicare program.

The companies linked to the scheme allegedly submitted more than $21 million in bogus Medicare claims.

Eight other defendants have been sentenced for their roles in the plot. Three others await sentencing.