Independence Home Healthcare and Jose Vincente Perez settled for $377,773.70 and accepted 20-year OIG exclusion for employing an excluded office manager and paying improper remuneration via checks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute.

Independence Home Healthcare (California) — Excluded Employee + Anti-Kickback Violations

Outcome: Settled for $377,773.70 and accepted a 20-year OIG exclusion for employing an excluded office manager and making improper cash payments to individuals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute.

Independence Home Healthcare, Inc. and its owner Jose Vincente Perez faced dual Civil Monetary Penalties Law violations. First, the agency employed an office manager who was excluded from federal healthcare program participation — demonstrating that OIG exclusion checks must cover administrative staff, not just clinical personnel. Second, the agency paid remuneration to individuals in the form of checks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute, creating improper financial incentives likely connected to patient referral activities.

The combined nature of the violations — an excluded administrative employee plus kickback payments — resulted in a 20-year OIG exclusion for both the entity and Perez, effectively barring them from federal healthcare program participation for two decades. Settlement of $377,773.70 was recorded January 8, 2024.

Primary Source: Independence Home Healthcare and Jose Vincente Perez Agreed to Pay $377,000 and Be Excluded for 20 Years