As Government Looks to Stop Wasteful Spending: 9 Local Doctors are Charged
On behalf of Grand Rapids Litigation Attorneys Blog posted in Legal News on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Several health care professionals associated with offices in Ludington and other locations have been indicted in an alleged Medicare and Medicaid kickback scheme. Eight total professionals were arraigned in the US District Court in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 and a ninth appeared in State District Court in East Lansing.
The charges against these individuals revolve around alleged kick backs for fees paid for referrals. These fees were disguised as other types of payments such as mileage, medical director fees, continuing medical education and contractual labor.
While these charges seem rather minor the penalties these 9 individuals face are steep. Conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback statute is punishable by five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, with three years of supervised release and restitution.
Source: Associated Press "Nine arraigned in Medicare, Medicaid kickback scheme involving clinic"
