Physicians are widely regarded as among the most honest class of professionals. Yet doctors are also human beings, and they occasionally succumb to temptation, especially when they discover the ease of extracting excessive payments from insurance companies and Medicare. A radiologist who is the owner of several imaging centers on Long Island was recently indicted in what is alleged to be an extensive pattern of fraudulent practices.
The indictment
According to the indictment that was released by the Office of New York Attorney General Letitia James, the defendant doctor is facing several felony charges. Specifically, the defendant has been accused of paying kickbacks to other physicians as bribes for patient referrals, subjecting patients to unnecessary tests and procedures, and then submitting false claims to Medicaid.
The unnecessary tests are alleged to have included MRIs of the brain, cervical spine, and lumbar spine. Some patients were forced to receive unnecessary injections and other invasive tests.
The defendant is alleged to have given more than $547,000 to three physicians who referred patients to his diagnostic radiology center in Forest Hills, Long Island. The indictment alleges that the defendant directed his staff to falsify documents to obtain reimbursement for tests that were never given to patients. The false invoices were submitted to Medicaid to increase the amount of reimbursement paid to defendant.
Conclusion
The defendant in this case is facing serious federal charges. If convicted, he may face imprisonment, a heavy fine, and loss of his medical license. Anyone facing similar charges may wish to consult an attorney with experience in defending Medicare/Medicaid fraud cases for advice.