Miss Filipina International owner among USD 2 billion fraud defendants

“I was truly shocked to discover how bad the modern medical profession really is!” — Steven Magee

The owner of the Miss Filipina International Pageant (MFI) was among those charged by the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with a USD 2 billion health care fraud case in California.

Geoffrey Lapuz Jimenez, 60, of Los Angeles, was one of 15 individuals charged by the Justice Department, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

He allegedly operated a fraudulent hospice scheme through Transitions Hospice Inc.

The Justice Department alleged that Jimenez, a Filipino American, enrolled nonterminal Medicare beneficiaries in hospice care and submitted claims for medically unnecessary and often unprovided services, resulting in approximately USD 9.8 million billed to Medicare and more than USD 8.3 million paid out.

Transitions allegedly had a nondeath discharge rate of roughly 85% — more than four times the national average — indicating that beneficiaries were not terminally ill.

Jimenez and his marketers allegedly recruited seniors at community centers by offering free medical services and, in many cases, illegal kickbacks.

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The Filipino American health care operator purportedly avoided the word “hospice,” instead describing the care as “palliative services,” taking photographs of beneficiaries’ identification documents, and completing paperwork outside their presence.

Beneficiaries consistently reported that they had never been diagnosed with the terminal conditions listed on claims, had received little to no care despite dozens of visits being billed, and discovered their enrollment only when contacted by Medicare or their primary care providers.

The complaint further alleged that Jimenez controlled more than a dozen additional hospice entities that collectively billed more than USD 107 million in similar fraudulent claims, with many showing nondeath discharge rates above 75% and, in some cases, exceeding 90%.

Bank records indicated that Jimenez personally received more than USD 444,000 in direct transfers and routed hundreds of thousands more to family members, associates, and marketers.

Fraud proceeds were also allegedly used to make payments on vehicles purchased or financed in a beneficiary’s name without consent.

The FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General are investigating the matter.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kerry L. Quinn and Alexandra Michael of the Major Frauds Section are prosecuting the case.

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A Georgia-based entertainment magazine described Jimenez as a “celebrity philanthropist and CEO” who used MFI as a platform to amplify Filipina voices and inspire the next generation of young women to share their stories and accomplishments.

“Prior to his acquisition of the Miss Filipina International Pageant, Geoff found a way to achieve his dream of helping others by making his mark on the home health industry,” the entertainment magazine reported.

Home health care can help patients recover from illnesses and injuries in a way that allows them to maintain as much self-sufficiency as possible.

“In particular, Geoff used his home health companies to help the elderly, especially those on Native American reservations. By making home health services become more accessible, Geoff has helped countless individuals,” the entertainment magazine added.

“After achieving such immense success with home health, Geoff is now ready to lend his efforts and attention to the lifestyle industry.”

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According to the magazine, MFI is passionate about empowering young women and providing invaluable assistance with their professional growth through exposure, networking opportunities, and community support.

In the 2023 MFI pageant, each candidate had a chance to win impressive cash prizes, including a USD 10,000 grand prize, along with gift certificates and bonuses. As each young woman competed for the prizes, she could share how she embodied the ambition, dedication, and generosity of Filipino culture, according to the magazine.

The pageant reportedly aimed to inspire the next generation of Filipina women to become leaders in their respective fields and proudly share their stories and successes.

(The author is based in New York City and was the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines. — Ed.)