Not everyone believes that prescription medicine is the primary way to address an ailment. Many people are of the mind that, in order to promote optimum health, there should be a greater focus on nutrition and exercise. Popping pills isn’t always the answer. For the most part, this is how chiropractors think. Chiropractic adjustments are designed to align their patients’ spines. By doing so, a stronger immune system is supported. Not to mention, a reduction in back pain.
Because of their medication-free approach to health care, you’d be hard pressed to find a chiropractor attempting to bilk our nation’s health insurance programs for bogus prescriptions. Of course, they can find other ways to commit health care fraud. Just ask Long Island, New York’s Joseph Stephan. The 50 year-old is accused of submitting false claims to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers Compensation Programs.
Stephan submitted claims for work that wasn’t actually performed.
As reported by Michael DeSantis on Patch.com, Stephan submitted claims for work he didn’t do. He was arrested for his trouble one week ago. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in prison.
According to DeSantis’ report, Stephan has been enrolled in a workers compensation program since 2008. It benefits certain federal employees, such as U.S. Postal Service workers, who become disabled due to on-the-job injuries. Authorities reported that Stephan fraudulently billed the program for services provided to patients on dates they did not visit him.
Stephan also fraudulently billed for services provided to an undercover agent.
In addition, the chiropractor billed for services he did not provide during his patients’ visits. Stephan also fraudulently billed the program for services provided to a special agent of the USPS Office of the Inspector General. This individual posed as a postal employee 23 different times. Stephan submitted bills for appointments the undercover agent never had.
Seth D. DuCharme is the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York. He took part in announcing the charges against Stephan last week.
“As alleged, Stephan abused the trust of an important federal benefit program for employees injured on the job by billing for numerous fraudulent claims, including those for an undercover Special Agent investigating the defendant,” he is quoted as saying in a news release, “This Office will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to hold healthcare providers accountable for fraud and abuse.”
Michael Mikulka is the special agent-in-charge for the U.S. Department of Labor. He joined DuCharme in announcing last week’s charges against Stephan.
He had this to say about the arrest: “Medical providers who submit false claims to (the workers compensation program) and other federal health care programs for medically unnecessary services are putting illegal profits above patients’ safety. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and OWCP to protect the integrity of DOL’s benefit programs.”
Are you an attorney who is currently trying a health care fraud case?
Please don’t hesitate to contact Allegiant Experts to find out how our clinical expertise may help your case. Our experts have been providing expert clinical services for nearly two decades and can help your team by bridging the disciplines of medicine, coding and billing to ensure accurate payment and data is achieved. Give us a call at 407-217-5831 or email us at info@allegiantexperts.com.
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