GP Physician and Medical Practice Settle Health Care Fraud Allegations with US
A Grants Pass physician and his general medical practice have paid $115,000 to settle allegations by the United States that -- on behalf of himself -- he submitted fraudulent medical reimbursement claims to Medicare, TRICARE and the Veterans Health Administration.
According to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon, 60-year-old Wendell Heidinger and Optimal Health of Southern Oregon, LLC, paid the money to the United States Treasury.
US attorneys contended that -- between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020 -- Dr. Heidinger and Optimal submitted claims for reimbursement to Medicare, TRICARE and VHA coded as "evaluation and management" when frequency specific microcurrent (FSM) treatments were primarily provided.
Medicare considers FSM as an investigational treatment for which it does not provide coverage or payment.
Medicare is a public health insurance program administered by a federal agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services. TRICARE is a civilian health care program administered by the Defense Health Agency. VHA is an agency within the US Department of Veterans Affairs. It's the largest integrated health system in the United States and provides primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services to American veterans.
This settlement was the result of a coordinated investigation by the US Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon, HHS Office of Inspector General and DHA.
Posted on 12/20/23 6:40AM by Sam Marsh
