Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
A federal grand jury has indicted Jessa Zayas, a 34-year-old nurse from Santa Clarita, on charges of health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. Acting United States Attorney Michele Beckwith announced the indictment, which involves fraudulent claims for hospice care submitted to Medicare.
Hospice care is intended for terminally ill patients, with Medicare covering certain expenses if a patient is certified as terminally ill. However, court records indicate that Zayas, CEO and owner of Healing Hands Hospice and Humane Love Hospice in Van Nuys, billed Medicare for services provided to over 100 individuals who were not terminally ill. The fraudulent billings from June 2023 through May 2025 amounted to at least $2.5 million.
Zayas allegedly obtained personal Medicare information by visiting retirement homes in Fresno and Kern Counties after hours when managers were absent. She reportedly solicited this information directly from residents under the pretense of enrolling them in hospice care. Claims submitted to Medicare included false representations about patients' conditions and forged doctors' certifications.
The FBI and HHS OIG arrested Zayas last week and executed a search warrant at her home, seizing $77,000 in cash hidden under her bed.
Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph Barton and Brittany Gunter are handling the prosecution following an investigation by the FBI and HHS OIG.
If convicted, Zayas could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for health care fraud. Additionally, she faces a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. Sentencing will depend on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines once guilt is established beyond reasonable doubt.
