DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) — Two North Texans have been arrested and charged with defrauding several insurance companies by sending them false requests for COVID tests, prosecutors said Friday.
On December 15, Terrance Barnard, 39, and Connie Jo Clampitt, 51, were arrested and charged each with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, ten counts of of health care, seven counts of aggravated impersonation and one count. each of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The couple were indicted by a grand jury on December 5.
Prosecutors say Barnard and Clampitt defrauded Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Cigna, United Healthcare, Aetna, Humana and Molina Health Care out of more than $7 million.
Barnard is accused of using his job as a lab technician at several clinics to steal patient data including names, addresses, birth dates and insurance information.
He and Clampitt then allegedly contacted the patients’ insurers and told them they had had COVID tests done at diagnostic labs when in reality those tests never happened and the labs never existed. .
They are also accused of opening bank accounts for their fake lab companies – TC Diagnostics, ME Diagnostics and Rhine Enterprises dba PHR Diagnostics – which they would use to deposit fraudulently obtained reimbursement checks before transferring the money to their own personal accounts.
The funds were reportedly used to buy real estate and luxury cars.
Law enforcement officers reportedly seized more than $1.5 million during the investigation.
If convicted, Barnard and Clampitt face up to 10 years in prison on each count of health care fraud, conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy to launder. money. They face up to two years for each count of aggravated impersonation.