◆ Bradley J. Harris, the former CEO of Novus and Optimum Health Services, a hospice in Texas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas said March 19.[1] He faces up to 10 years in prison. Harris admitted he billed Medicare and Medicaid for hospice services that weren’t provided, that were not directed by a medical professional, or that were rendered to patients who were not eligible for hospice care. He also admitted to using blank, presigned controlled substance prescriptions he got from three physicians to hand out drugs without their input.