John Costino, DO, a North Wildwood, N.J.-based sports medicine and family practice physician, and his wife Barbara Costino have pleaded not guilty to healthcare fraud charges, according to a Press of Atlantic City news report.
Dr. Costino had been charged previously with submitting false claims, but the indictment had been thrown out after a judge cited a lack of specificity in the indictment. The Costinos were re-indicted in August with charges alleging he and his wife had submitted false claims to healthcare payors for treatments and physical therapy services that were never rendered or were offered by unlicensed employees. The alleged false claims were related to 30 incidents with three patients, and prosecutors claim the fraud allegedly happened between 2004 and 2006, according to the report.
Dr. Costino, whose medical license was indefinitely revoked in 2009, has also been charged with distributing controlled substances. In 2007, he was arrested after undercover investigators posing as exotic dancers tried to obtain prescription pain medication from him. A recorded conversation revealed an undercover officer reported not experiencing any pain but "wanted something that would help her relax," after which she received a prescription for 30 oxycodone pills, according to the report.
The jury said it could not hear the recording of the conversation, but the undercover officer in the recording testified about the conversation, according to the report. The news report did not have any details about Mrs. Costino's involvement in the alleged fraud.
Read the Press of Atlantic City's news report about Dr. John Costino's not guilty plea.
Read other coverage about physician fraud:
- New Jersey Sports Medicine Physician Indicted for Healthcare Fraud
- Two West Virginia Internists Face Prison Time for Involvement in Healthcare Fraud, Aiding "Pill Mill"
- Los Angeles Internist Sentenced to Prison for Role in $15M Healthcare Fraud Scheme
Dr. Costino had been charged previously with submitting false claims, but the indictment had been thrown out after a judge cited a lack of specificity in the indictment. The Costinos were re-indicted in August with charges alleging he and his wife had submitted false claims to healthcare payors for treatments and physical therapy services that were never rendered or were offered by unlicensed employees. The alleged false claims were related to 30 incidents with three patients, and prosecutors claim the fraud allegedly happened between 2004 and 2006, according to the report.
Dr. Costino, whose medical license was indefinitely revoked in 2009, has also been charged with distributing controlled substances. In 2007, he was arrested after undercover investigators posing as exotic dancers tried to obtain prescription pain medication from him. A recorded conversation revealed an undercover officer reported not experiencing any pain but "wanted something that would help her relax," after which she received a prescription for 30 oxycodone pills, according to the report.
The jury said it could not hear the recording of the conversation, but the undercover officer in the recording testified about the conversation, according to the report. The news report did not have any details about Mrs. Costino's involvement in the alleged fraud.
Read the Press of Atlantic City's news report about Dr. John Costino's not guilty plea.
Read other coverage about physician fraud:
- New Jersey Sports Medicine Physician Indicted for Healthcare Fraud
- Two West Virginia Internists Face Prison Time for Involvement in Healthcare Fraud, Aiding "Pill Mill"
- Los Angeles Internist Sentenced to Prison for Role in $15M Healthcare Fraud Scheme