Woman sentenced to prison for union health care fraud

A California woman has been sentenced to prison for defrauding the Culinary union's health insurance program, the U.S. attorney for Nevada announced Friday.

Ana Acosta, 40, of Dulzura, Calif., pleaded guilty in February to three counts of health care fraud. She appeared on Thursday before Senior U.S. District Judge Lloyd George in Las Vegas and received a 30-month prison term. George also ordered her to pay nearly $960,000 in restitution.

According to a statement released Friday by the U.S. attorney's office, Acosta and several others submitted fraudulent health care claims to the Culinary union's health insurance program from about June 2000 to June 2007. The claims represented that union members had obtained emergency medical services in Mexico, when they actually had received cosmetic procedures.

The union's insurance program does not provide coverage for cosmetic procedures, unless they are medically necessary.

Acosta's 47-year-old sister, Rebeca, also was charged in the scheme and was released on bond following her first court appearance. Rebeca Acosta failed to appear for subsequent court hearings, and a warrant for her arrest was issued. She is currently a fugitive.

Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.