Christopher Harwood, a 44-year-old from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been handed a 20-year federal prison sentence for masterminding a Medicare fraud scheme that resulted in $46.2 million in false claims, according to the Department of Justice.
In addition to his prison term, Harwood has been ordered to pay nearly $18 million in restitution to Medicare and forfeit over $10.4 million, reflecting the personal profits he made from the operation.
Harwood owned and operated a telemedicine company, TelevisitMD, where he orchestrated a network of accomplices who aggressively reached out to Medicare beneficiaries through telemarketing campaigns. These campaigns aimed to persuade beneficiaries to accept unnecessary orthopedic braces and genetic tests.
The Fraudulent Operation
The fraudulent activity was systematic: Harwood compensated doctors to sign off on orders for products without having a legitimate doctor-patient relationship, physical exams, or meaningful interaction with the patients.
Once he obtained these signatures, Harwood sold the orders to medical equipment companies, laboratories, and marketers who then billed Medicare.
Companies Under Harwood's Control
Harwood also directly managed several medical supply companies in Florida—identified in court documents as West Med, North Med, and South Med—to bill millions more for braces that were neither requested nor needed by patients.
Out of the fraudulent $46.2 million claims submitted, Medicare disbursed $17.9 million before the scheme was uncovered.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The FBI's Miami field office and the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. In March 2026, Harwood pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud.
Telemedicine Fraud in South Florida
Telemedicine and medical equipment fraud is a persistent issue in South Florida. Recently, similar cases have led to convictions in the area: in September, two state residents were sentenced for a $34.8 million medical equipment fraud, and in June, charges were filed against several individuals in South Florida for similar schemes targeting the federal program.
This sentencing is part of the Department of Justice's Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which since 2007 has charged over 6,200 individuals associated with more than $45 billion in fraudulent billing to federal health programs and private insurers.
Understanding Medicare Fraud in South Florida
What was the total amount in fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare by Harwood?
Harwood submitted $46.2 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare.
How much did Medicare pay before the fraud was detected?
Medicare paid $17.9 million before the fraudulent scheme was uncovered.
What penalties were imposed on Harwood?
Harwood was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, ordered to pay nearly $18 million in restitution, and to forfeit over $10.4 million.