Doctors, pharmacists indicted in $100M fraud case

[SecularMotion]

Source: Arizona Republic

PHOENIX — A dozen doctors, pharmacy owners and marketing pros have been accused of a kickback scheme that prosecutors allege involved a sham medical study used to bilk up to $102 million from the publicly funded federal health program for military family members.

The doctors included Walter Neil Simmons, 47, of Gilbert, Ariz., emergency medicine doctor who has worked at two metro Phoenix hospital chains. He was indicted in October in U.S. District Court in Dallas on one count of conspiracy to commit health-care fraud. The federal charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

When reached by phone this week, Simmons said, "I can't make any comments."

Federal prosecutors said the scheme involved prescribing "compounded" drugs such as pain, scar and migraine creams to military families covered by Tricare, the federal health insurance program for active-duty and retired military and family members.

Read more: http://www.king5.com/ext/news/nation-now/doctors-pharmacists-indicted-in-100m-fraud-case/281/nationnow/3rL0rX0SmA22OuGCCg2qkE

[bucolic_frolic]

1. trump should release his tax returns

wouldn't these guys like to have had the same level of zero transparency?

[TexasBushwhacker]

2. I wonder who pocketed the money

I'm sure the compounding company got the bulk of it. I wonder if any of that $102 Million is recoverable.

[Blue Shoes]

3. Probably not all.

But they'll likely liquidate the assets of those convinced to try and get some back.

[7962]

7. With their egos there could be ample assets

These guys tend to enjoy living high off others money

[SticksnStones]

4. So who else found their thought process jumping to...

...just how long before Trump tweets this as a success of his adminstration.

Draining the Swamp! Taking care of our soldiers! The VA is failing! Never fear! Trump is coming!

I know. I know...it can't ALL be about Trump. Though, it is in his mind, to be sure.


Still, good on those who are ferreting out crimes and corruption. And white collar crime at that!

[7962]

8. He cant claim anything good that happens before the 20th. He is NOT yet the President.

In the history and record books, Pres Obama gets credit for the stock market highs and anything else!

[SticksnStones]

11. Well, I know that...and YOU know that...but does he?

[metroins]

5. Conspiracy

Indicted on conspiracy to commit fraud.

That means they didn't indict on actual fraud, just conspiracy.

Conspiracy charges are weak and have a lower threshold of evidence, yet carry the same penalties.

[milestogo]

6. Migraine creams?

What do you apply the cream to, your head?

[7962]

9. Actually, yes:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/843685

ETA: there are others out there as well. My ex used one.

[milestogo]

10. Wow, I don't think my md knows about this.

[nitpicker]

12. Link to the DoJ PR (from October)

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/ten-additional-defendants-charged-100-million-tricare-fraud-scheme

[CanSocDem]

13. Business as usual...

...for ModernMedicineINC.

When the purpose is to make a profit anything goes.


.

[ProfessorGAC]

14. So, According To Some. . .

. . .Obamacare failed because it didn't contain costs (and wasn't designed to do so), but 100 million dollars goes up in smoke due to fraud. 30 cents for every citizen skimmed from the medical system due to criminal behavior and the ACA is the problem? Really?

[not fooled]

15. Expect to see more stories of this type

Of course, it's good to find and prosecute fraud and misuse of Federal dollars. But, those bent on destroying Federal programs and privatizing everything will make sure to ferret out and feed a steady stream of these stories to the corporate media to propagandize the public to believe that Federal programs should be destroyed and everything turned over to the private sector.

I'll believe that the private sector can do a better job when actual investigative reporting is conducted and reveals less fraud, waste, and abuse in the corporate world.

Expect to see a constant series of negative, carefully selected stories on all aspects of the Federal government that the 'pukes want to destroy. Civil service will be next.