A nurse from Santa Clarita is facing federal charges in connection with a multi-million dollar Medicare fraud scheme involving false hospice care claims.
Jessa Zayas, 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury on six counts, including health care fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith. Prosecutors allege Zayas submitted fraudulent hospice claims totaling at least $2.5 million through her businesses, Healing Hands Hospice and Humane Love Hospice, based in Van Nuys.
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From June 2023 to May 2025, Zayas allegedly billed Medicare for services provided to over 100 individuals who were not terminally ill. Authorities say she and her associates collected Medicare beneficiary information from retirement homes in Fresno and Kern Counties—often during late visits—and used forged physician certifications to support the claims.
Federal investigators with the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General arrested Zayas and executed a search warrant at her home, where they reportedly seized $77,000 in cash.
Zayas faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of health care fraud. The identity theft charge carries a mandatory additional sentence of two years, to be served consecutively. Sentencing will ultimately be determined by a federal judge, factoring in the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Zayas has not yet entered a plea and remains presumed innocent pending trial. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Barton and Brittany Gunter.
