Physician to be sentenced for healthcare fraud

Healthcare fraud is one of those white collar crimes that can land physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in jail for a long time. Doctors who commit healthcare are rarely ever able to practice again and nurses usually lose their licenses as well. People who are accused of healthcare fraud need experienced attorneys on their side who take the time to fully investigate every possible scenario before presenting their case in front of a judge and jury. Monday morning, an ex-physician from Peters Township admitted to providing hospice care to people who were not terminally ill, while he was employed as the medical director of a hospice company in Cambria County. The 43-year-old Pittsburgh-area native pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud in front of United States District Judge Arthur Schwab. The judge then scheduled the ex-doctor’s sentencing hearing for July 2015. It is believed that the man will face anywhere from thirty to thirty-seven months in a federal prison. The man’s criminal past will play a part in his sentencing. In total, the man stole an estimated $200,000 to $400,000 from the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs by treating patients who weren’t terminal. Records show the man also conspired with other in healthcare fraud, but wouldn’t comment as to whom he was referring after the trial. Administrators for the hospice center, Horizons Hospice, were not available to speak after the trial either. Back in May of 2012, this same man pleaded guilty to prescribing nearly 11,000 oxycodone pills and more than 3500 oxymorphone pills to people who did not need them for medical purposes. If you have been arrested for healthcare fraud and you have questions, please call Pittsburgh white collar crimes attorney Gary Gerson at 412-219-6875 for a free consultation.