Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove men charged in kickback indictment

A 75-year-old Hoffman Estates man who owns a home health care business was one of 10 people indicted in federal court Wednesday for participating in a Medicare kickback scheme, authorities said.

Rogelio Cabrera, the owner of Romyst Home Health Inc. in Chicago, was charged with paying at least $500,00 in cash kickbacks to doctors in exchange for Medicare patient referrals to his company, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Also named in the indictment is Elk Grove physician Kamal Patel, who is accused of receiving approximately $28,500 in cash kickbacks from two owners of Chicago-based Grand Home Health Care Inc., according to prosecutors.

Maria Buendia and Nixon Encinares, the owners of Grand Home Health Care, are accused of paying out more than $1.1 million in kickbacks to doctors, social workers and a registered nurse in exchange for the referral of Medicare patients to their company.

Cabrera was charged with one count of conspiracy to offer pay kickbacks and one count of violating the anti-kickback statue. Each county carries a maximum of four years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Patel was charged with one count of conspiracy to solicit and receive kickbacks and six counts of violating the anti-kickback law, according to prosecutors.