Prosthetic breast fraud leads to Clovis arrest, cancer patients’ insurance overbilled
A Clovis woman was arrested for allegedly overcharging the insurance companies of breast cancer patients for services they never received.
Benta Jean Fries, 49, who was doing business as Silhoutte Breast Prosthetics, faces 67 counts of insurance fraud for allegedly overbilling insurance companies for the “reimbursement of breast prosthetics and undergarments for breast cancer patients” between Oct. 1, 2014 and April 10, 2018, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday in a news release
The district attorney’s office said Fries overbilled insurance companies approximately $270,415, with potential losses reaching more than $1.2 million.
The alleged fraud was initially detected after breast cancer patients in the Fresno area reviewed their explanation of benefits and discovered that their insurance carrier, Blue Shield of California, had been charged by Fries for products they never received, or for more expensive products than they had purchased.
Blue Shield conducted an investigation that was then forwarded to the California Department of Insurance. Fries’ arrest followed a nearly two-year joint investigation involving the CDI and the district attorney’s office.
The felony complaint includes an allegation that “the taking involved more than $100,000.” If convicted, Fries faces a sentence of up to 73 years in prison, a fine and restitution. She would be eligible for an early release, however, under the Elderly Parole Program once she reaches age 60 and has served 25 years, the district attorney’s office said.
Fries arraignment is Monday at Fresno County Superior Court.
