Veronica Katz, the owner of a Bay Area home health agency, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for health care fraud. The sentence was issued by U.S. District Judge James Donato, who also ordered Katz to pay $543,634.34 in restitution.

Katz, 36, from San Francisco, was indicted alongside two co-defendants on October 17, 2023. She pleaded guilty on April 18, 2024, to one count of health care fraud. As the owner and operator of HealthNow Home Healthcare and Hospice (HealthNow), Katz submitted false documentation to Medicare to receive reimbursements improperly.

The plea agreement detailed Katz's involvement in a scheme that included using medical practitioners' identities without consent and manipulating patient records. Additionally, she billed Medicare for services not provided and instructed an employee to lie during an FBI investigation.

United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey announced the sentencing along with FBI Special Agent Robert K. Tripp and HHS-OIG Special Agent Steven J. Ryan.

Besides imprisonment and restitution, Judge Donato imposed a three-year supervised release period and a $50,000 fine on Katz. Her sentence will commence on January 6, 2025.

Co-defendant Vennesa Herrera admitted guilt to conspiracy charges and is set for sentencing on March 17, 2025. Simon Katz's trial is scheduled for May 12, 2025.

Assistant United States Attorney Christiaan Highsmith leads the prosecution with support from Helen Yee and Mark DiCenzo following an extensive investigation by the FBI, HHS-OIG, and California Department of Public Health.