NEW ORLEANS - Federal authorities say two psychologists have admitted participating in a $25 million scam that billed Medicare for unnecessary or nonexistent tests on nursing home residents in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

A Justice Department news release says 62-year-old Beverly Stubblefield of Slidell, Louisiana, and 46-year-old John Teal of Jackson, Mississippi, say they're responsible for more than $5.6 million in fraudulent Medicare claims.

It says each pleaded guilty Wednesday in New Orleans to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

In a statement made as part of their plea, the two say that they worked for two companies run by co-defendants scheduled for trial next month. They said the companies billed Medicare for tests that were not needed or not given at all.