California is the epicenter of a hospice fraud crisis costing billions and harming seniors. Fraudsters steal Medicare numbers to enroll victims in sham hospices, blocking access to needed care.
- A woman died after a fall because she was fraudulently enrolled in hospice and couldn't get cataract surgery. - Attorney General Bonta charged 21 suspects in a $267 million fraud ring.
- 280 hospice licenses revoked since 2021; emergency regulations delayed. - Fraud also targets home health services and medical equipment.
Advocates urge seniors to protect their medical information and report suspicious activity.