Quick Answer: A federal jury convicted former NFL tight end Joel French of defrauding Medicare and veterans’ health care out of nearly $197 million through fake orthotic brace orders. French used overseas call centers to pressure elderly Americans — including people with Alzheimer’s and dementia — into accepting braces they never needed or wanted. He faces up to 35 years in prison.
Joel Rufus French, 47, a former Ole Miss standout who briefly played in the NFL, ran a scheme that billed Medicare for braces sent to amputees for limbs they didn’t have — and for patients who were already dead. That’s not creative billing. That’s sociopathic greed.
When someone targets your grandmother with Alzheimer’s to steal from Medicare, that’s not a white-collar crime — that’s predatory abuse of the most vulnerable people in our society.— Steve Rhode
How the Scheme Worked
According to the DOJ press release from February 3, 2026, French coordinated with overseas call centers to run a massive medical equipment fraud operation:
Every weekday I read the enforcement actions, filings and fine print the outlets skip, and turn them into the one or two moves that actually improve your position — a rate worth moving for, a fee you can refuse, a deadline to beat before it costs you.
In the latest issue (Sep 11): You drive to the dealership to pick up the car. There is no car. There was never a car.
I write Your Money Actually most weekdays — actionable money information you will not find anywhere else, and the small decisions that compound. It is free, I sell nothing, and I take no money from any company I write about.
- Call centers pressured elderly Americans into providing their personal and health insurance information and agreeing to accept orthotic braces they didn’t need or want.
- Some victims had Alzheimer’s and dementia. In certain cases, call recordings were altered to falsely show patients consented when they never did.
- Sham telemedicine companies obtained signed orders from doctors and nurse practitioners who never examined — and often never even spoke to — the patients.
- French controlled eight medical equipment companies that submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare and CHAMPVA (the veterans’ health program), concealing his ties through false paperwork.
- The billing was beyond brazen. Claims were submitted for braces for amputees’ missing limbs and for deceased beneficiaries.
The Conviction
A federal jury in Tampa, Florida convicted French on three counts:
- Conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud — up to 20 years
- Conspiracy to commit money laundering — up to 10 years
- Conspiracy to offer, pay, solicit, and receive kickbacks — up to 5 years
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva stated: “This defendant’s conduct was egregious: he targeted seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia and billed Medicare for orthotic braces for deceased patients and amputees.”
The Daily Money Brief — Free, at 10 AM
Money you may be owed, scams to dodge, and the fine print decoded — the consumer money news that affects your wallet, every weekday.
A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. French also faces forfeiture of millions in bank accounts and annuities.
This Is Part of a Bigger Problem
French’s scheme is one piece of a massive, ongoing problem with medical equipment fraud. The numbers are staggering:
In the largest related case, the DOJ charged 24 defendants connected to telemedicine brace fraud schemes totaling over $1.2 billion, involving call centers in the Philippines and Latin America.
According to the HHS Office of Inspector General, orthotic braces are consistently among the top items with the highest improper payment rates in Medicare. Despite enforcement actions, the OIG warns that fraudsters continue to develop new schemes targeting this billing category.
Key Insight: Medical equipment fraud doesn’t just steal taxpayer money. If a scammer bills Medicare for a brace you didn’t order, you may be denied coverage when you actually need that equipment later — because Medicare’s records show it was already provided.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
Warning: If you get an unsolicited call offering free medical equipment — braces, wheelchairs, glucose monitors — hang up. Legitimate medical equipment requires a prescription from YOUR doctor after an actual examination.
- Never give Medicare or insurance info to unsolicited callers. Medicare will never call you to sell products.
- Review your Medicare Summary Notices. Look for charges for equipment you didn’t receive. If something looks wrong, report it.
- Talk to elderly family members. People with cognitive decline are specifically targeted. Help them review their Medicare statements.
- Report suspected fraud. Call the HHS OIG hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol.
If someone’s pressuring you about medical debt or threatening collections on equipment you never ordered, take the Find Your Path quiz to understand your options. And run any company’s claims through the Scam-O-Meter before you hand over a dime.
Key Takeaways
- Former NFL player Joel French convicted of $197M Medicare and veterans’ health fraud
- The scheme targeted seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia, billing for fake braces
- Claims were submitted for amputees’ missing limbs and deceased patients
- Medicare fraud costs an estimated $60 billion per year
- Never give Medicare information to unsolicited callers — legitimate equipment requires your doctor’s prescription
- Review Medicare statements and report suspicious charges to HHS OIG
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Joel French?
Joel Rufus French, 47, of Amory, Mississippi, is a former Ole Miss standout tight end who briefly played in the NFL. He was convicted on February 3, 2026, of running a $197 million Medicare and CHAMPVA fraud scheme through overseas call centers and eight shell medical equipment companies.
How does medical equipment fraud affect Medicare beneficiaries?
Beyond costing taxpayers billions, victims may lose their benefits. If a scammer bills Medicare for equipment in your name, Medicare may refuse to cover that same equipment later when you actually need it — because their records show it was already provided.
What is the orthotic brace scam?
Fraudsters use call centers to contact elderly Medicare beneficiaries and pressure them into accepting orthotic braces (back, knee, shoulder, wrist) they don’t need. Sham telemedicine companies obtain prescriptions from doctors who never examine the patients, and shell companies bill Medicare for the equipment. According to HHS OIG, this remains one of the most common Medicare fraud schemes.
How do I report Medicare fraud?
Call the HHS Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). You can also contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for help reviewing suspicious Medicare charges. Reports can be made anonymously.
How much does Medicare fraud cost taxpayers?
Estimates vary, but Medicare fraud costs approximately $60 billion per year. Medicare paid approximately $5.3 billion for orthotic braces alone between 2014 and 2020, according to HHS OIG.
Dealing With Debt? Understanding your options is the first step. See how all your debt relief options compare — including ones most sites won’t tell you about. The Find Your Path quiz gives a recommendation based on your actual numbers, and the Scam-O-Meter checks any company’s complaint history before you sign. Federal Reserve research shows bankruptcy filers recover faster than those who don’t file.
