Justin D. Whatcott Acting United States Attorney for the District of Idaho | Department of Justice
Bloom Care LLC and its owners have agreed to pay $3 million to settle allegations of violating the False Claims Act. The allegations involve submitting false claims for medically unnecessary testing and inflating services provided at their urgent care centers in Idaho and New Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. government accused Bloom of using the pandemic as a pretext to bill for unnecessary streptococcus and influenza tests for patients without symptoms. Additionally, it is alleged that Bloom exaggerated the level of evaluation and management services provided to COVID-19 patients, resulting in higher reimbursement claims than warranted.
“The Department of Justice is committed to identifying waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott. He commended federal and state agencies involved in investigating the case for protecting taxpayer dollars.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey McIntosh from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) emphasized that healthcare providers must adhere to laws when submitting claims, noting this settlement underscores HHS-OIG's commitment to maintaining program integrity.
Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northwest Field Office reiterated that companies serving veterans are expected to maintain high standards, warning against submitting claims for unnecessary services.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho, HHS-OIG, and VA OIG with support from Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare. Assistant United States Attorney Elliot Wertheim managed this case.
It is important to note that these are allegations only; there has been no admission or determination of liability by Bloom Care LLC.
This settlement aligns with efforts by the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force established on May 17, 2021, aimed at combating pandemic-related fraud through enhanced coordination among government agencies.
Individuals aware of potential COVID-19 related fraud can report it via the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or online complaint form.
