By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On May 14, 2018, a Texas doctor was arrested on charges he led a $240 million health care fraud and money laundering scheme. He allegedly falsely diagnosed at least 16 patients with degenerative diseases and gave them unneeded chemotherapy and other treatments.
Fake Diagnoses and Treatments.
The doctor allegedly bilked Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, Blue Cross Blue Shield and others through a scheme in which he would falsely diagnose patients with diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. According to the indictment, he would then give them treatments based on those false diagnoses, and conduct repetitive and excessive unnecessary medical procedures.
Additionally, the office staff alleges that they were instructed to increase the number of medical procedures performed on patients. If patients questioned him about the diagnoses and procedures, he subsequently dismissed them from his practices, according to the indictment.
In an attempt to hide the scheme from government investigators, he created fake patient records and hid other medical records.
Money Laundering.
The doctor and his alleged co-conspirators submitted about $240 million in false claims to the health care benefit programs and he allegedly used this money to fund a very lavish lifestyle. He allegedly laundered proceeds from the scheme through a money exchange house in Texas, to various accounts maintained by financial institutions in Mexico.
According to prosecutors, the indictment lists 16 patients who were allegedly victims of the scheme, which dates back to 2000. Federal Prosecutors say they will seek the harshest punishment possible in this case.
Click here to read the indictment.
To read about a similar case involving a doctor giving false diagnoses and treatments, click here.
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Sources:
Krochtengel, Jess. “Texas Doc Charged With Faking Diagnoses In $240M Scheme.” Law360. (May 14, 2018). Web.
“Valley Doctor Charged in Alleged $240M Health Care Fraud Case.” KRGB News. (May 14, 2018). Web.
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.
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