PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The operator of a Northeast Philadelphia hospice has been charged with defrauding Medicare out of millions of dollars. Matthew Kolodesh, 49, faces charges including health care fraud and money laundering.

Patty Hartman, a spokeswoman for the US Attorney’s office, says an indictment alleges Kolodesh, through his Home Care Hospice on Grant Avenue, billed Medicare for patients who were not terminally ill.

“He submitted claims totaling more than $14-million for patients that were either not eligible to receive the hospice care, or did not receive the services that Mr. Kolodesh and his business billed to Medicare.”

The indictment also charges Kolodesh with diverting $9-million from his company’s account for personal use, including renovations to his Churchville, Bucks County home and college tuition for his son. Kolodesh has until tomorrow to post his home to cover his $250,000 bail.

Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio 1060