A pain management facility in New York was the subject of a recent federal investigation. The investigation led to two separate indictments. The first involved two chiropractors, a business manager and an administrator. The government charged all four individuals with health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud. The second indictment included a pain management medical doctor formerly affiliated with the facility.
What were the allegations?
In the indictments, the government accused the group of running a pain management facility that was involved in health care fraud for six years. The alleged scheme led to over $80 million in illegal insurance fraud gains.
How have the cases progressed?
The allegations are moving forward with mixed progress. The pain management medical doctor took a plea deal earlier this year. He plead guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
Two of the four individuals in the initial indictment have retained not guilty pleas. One has already plead guilty to conspiracy to defraud health insurers and the fourth, the medical practice administrator, just accepted a plea deal. The deal involves a guilty plea in exchange for a more lenient sentence.
The most recent development involves the administrator who agreed to plead guilty to one count of health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Each charge could come with up to 10 years imprisonment.
What can other medical professionals in NY learn from this case?
Those who find themselves facing similar allegations are wise to carefully review any proposition by the government for a plea deal. An attorney experienced in this area of law can discuss the pros and cons of the deal as well as possible defensive strategies to take into account before agreeing to a deal.