Doctor Indicted in Medicare Fraud Scheme with Medical Billers

One way to ensure that affordable healthcare in this country remains in the morass it’s currently in is to scam programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

That’s not a teaching lead.  It’s a very sad introduction into the story of Dr. Aginah M. DeBerry of Colorado Springs, who was recently charged with conspiracy and health care fraud.

Dr. DeBerry and 18 other people were recently indicted by a federal grand jury in an alleged $12 million Medicare scheme in which the elderly and mentally ill were given soda and candy to entice them into undergoing unnecessary respiratory treatments.

Because nothing is more helpful to the mentally ill than a cola-infused caffeine buzz.  Oh, and donuts.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the physicians received more than $12 million from Medicare in the alleged scheme and paid kickbacks to gain access to patients in residential facilities.

According to a news release from the Justice Department, the physicians ordered treatment regardless of need and treatments were given without any doctor present, which is against Medicare rules.

Kenneth Julian, an assistant U.S. attorney on the case, said DeBerry, like the other physicians, conspired with a particular billing company, HT Medical Billing Service, in the scheme.

The defendants are scheduled for arraignment there on March 19.