United States v. Echols

PER CURIAM: *

Appellant Ben Echols, a Houston gas-troenterologist, appeals from his conviction and sentence for conspiracy to commit health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349 (Count 1), and six counts of making false statements in connection with the delivery of or payments for health care benefits, items, or services (Counts 2-7), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1035. The jury found Echols defrauded Medicare by signing hundreds of plans of care (POCs) au*352thorizing home health care for patients he had not seen or treated. The district court sentenced Echols to 63 months of imprisonment on…