JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Special Committee on Duval DOGE held a meeting Tuesday to review additional information about the city’s telehealth contract amid concerns of potential misuse of taxpayer funds, conflicts of interest and allegations of fraud.
The committee, chaired by City Councilmember Ron Salem, said in a news release that it would be diving deeper into the city’s contracts with Telescope Health, which runs the city’s telehealth services, Healthlink JAX.
Last week, City Councilmember Rory Diamond called for an investigation into Telescope Health after he said he had received many calls and messages from government insiders and others alleging fraud and conflicts of interest involving the telehealth contracts.
“I just want to get to the bottom of it and put it out in the sunshine so that the people of Jacksonville know one way or the other if their contracts are fair,” Diamond said on Nov. 10.
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The allegations prompted an emergency meeting two days later.
Following Tuesday’s meeting, News4JAX asked Diamond about claims that he’s received tips of potential fraud in the program.
“My phone, since the JEA investigation, is like, ‘Hey, this doesn’t look right to me, smell right,’” said Diamond. “Some of the allegations I wouldn’t repeat publicly because I don’t know if they’re true. That was a big reason why I need to start looking at these things.”
A Telescope Health rep did not speak during Tuesday’s meeting, where the committee requested documentation on the financing of the program.
But Telescope Health did send a statement responding to what it called “false allegations” about Healthlink JAX, saying in part that it has not “engaged in fraud, and any allegation to the contrary is entirely false and without merit.”
Read statement from the Mayor’s Office on Healthlink JAX:
HealthLink Jax has supported thousands of uninsured residents and saved millions of dollars on emergency room costs to meet Mayor Deegan’s goal of making healthcare more affordable and accessible in Jacksonville. This contract was awarded through an open and transparent process that has already been cleared by the Office of Inspector General. It’s unfortunate that taxpayer resources are being used to undertake a duplicative review process that is based on unsubstantiated allegations. Nonetheless, we look forward to cooperating and showing the incredible return on investment that Healthlink Jax has delivered.
A few background reminders from last week:
Mayor's Spokesperson
Diamond also brought up claims of Medicare and Medicaid fraud, specifically about patients being sent unnecessarily to emergency rooms, costing the city money.
“If that’s happening, that’s a huge problem,” Diamond said. “I can’t stand corruption. I’m really angry about it, so I just want to get to the bottom of it, get it all out in the sunshine, let’s ask the questions, let’s get the answers.”
But Telescope Health said “it cannot and has not billed Medicare, Medicaid or other payors for Healthlink JAX patients” because the program involves facilitating health care access to uninsured patients.
Read Telescope Health’s full statement below:
“At no time has Telescope Health engaged in fraud, and any allegation to the contrary is entirely false and without merit. To be unequivocally clear, Telescope Health’s contract for the Healthlink JAX program involves facilitating access to healthcare to uninsured patients. Therefore, Telescope Health cannot and has not billed Medicare, Medicaid or other payors for Healthlink JAX patients. Furthermore, no City of Jacksonville official has a financial stake in Telescope Health.
These erroneous accusations distract from Healthlink JAX’s mission to make care accessible to all Duval County residents. Telescope Health has faithfully managed more than 6,800 calls with Healthlink JAX patients and redirected more than $11.1 million in healthcare system costs since the service began in October 2024. We will continue to serve the Jacksonville community with the utmost integrity.”
Dr. Matthew Thompson, CEO and Co-Founder, Telescope Health