Florida Laboratory Vice President Convicted of Medicare Fraud in $15 Million COVID-19 Testing Scheme

A federal jury in the Southern District of Florida has convicted a Coral Springs man who served as vice president of a testing laboratory and owned a separate marketing company for his role in a scheme that exploited elderly patients seeking COVID-19 tests during the pandemic. Joseph Rodriguez, 58, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and six counts of health care fraud and faces up to 10 years in prison on each count. Sentencing is set for January 2027.

According to trial evidence, Rodriguez organized drive-through testing events at residential country clubs in the West Palm Beach area through his marketing company, Phoenix Health. Patients who signed up for nasal swab and antibody tests were instead subjected to dozens or hundreds of additional blood tests they neither wanted nor needed, ranging from hormone panels to heavy metal screenings for arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. No physician ordered these tests. Rodriguez directed staff to draw the extra blood, then caused a doctor’s name to be falsely listed on Medicare claims as though the tests were medically necessary. Across nine clubs over roughly four months, Medicare was billed more than $15 million and paid over $500,000.

Trial evidence included patient complaints, questions from a physician whose name appeared on claims for tests he never ordered, and club managers asking why members were receiving blood work when they had requested only COVID-19 testing. The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case. This case reflects the government’s focus on fraud that exploits patients during public health emergencies. Individuals with knowledge of similar billing schemes can pursue remedies under the False Claims Act through qui tam whistleblower actions, and those aware of Medicare fraud are encouraged to consult experienced whistleblower attorneys.