Patricia Young of Newton, Miss., has pleaded guilty to bilking more than $1.25 million from the federal Medicare program through her now-defunct psychotherapy business Healthy People 2000 in Chicago, according to an ABC Local news report.
An unnamed physician and Ms. Young obtained a Medicare provider number, which the physician allowed Ms. Young to use in order to receive reimbursements for claims for psychotherapy services. Ms. Young then paid a portion of the reimbursement back to the unnamed physician, even though he had not taken part in the therapy sessions. Ms. Young's social workers also conducted group therapy sessions and individual therapy for no more than 20 minutes. The unnamed physician was not present at any time psychotherapy services were performed, according to the report.
Additionally, Ms. Young billed virtually all services under the most expensive reimbursement code and also submitted claims for services that were never rendered, according to the report.
Sentencing for Ms. Young has been scheduled for July 12. Further details about the unnamed physicians' involvement, identity and any possible disciplinary actions were not included in the report.
Read the news report about Ms. Patricia Young's guilty plea.
Read more coverage about Medicare fraud:
- Nevada Anesthesiologist to Pay $1.25 to Settle Healthcare Fraud Allegations
- Arizona Internist Settles Medicare Fraud Allegations, Will Pay $92K
- Michigan Physician Sentenced to Three Year Imprisonment for False Medicare Claims
An unnamed physician and Ms. Young obtained a Medicare provider number, which the physician allowed Ms. Young to use in order to receive reimbursements for claims for psychotherapy services. Ms. Young then paid a portion of the reimbursement back to the unnamed physician, even though he had not taken part in the therapy sessions. Ms. Young's social workers also conducted group therapy sessions and individual therapy for no more than 20 minutes. The unnamed physician was not present at any time psychotherapy services were performed, according to the report.
Additionally, Ms. Young billed virtually all services under the most expensive reimbursement code and also submitted claims for services that were never rendered, according to the report.
Sentencing for Ms. Young has been scheduled for July 12. Further details about the unnamed physicians' involvement, identity and any possible disciplinary actions were not included in the report.
Read the news report about Ms. Patricia Young's guilty plea.
Read more coverage about Medicare fraud:
- Nevada Anesthesiologist to Pay $1.25 to Settle Healthcare Fraud Allegations
- Arizona Internist Settles Medicare Fraud Allegations, Will Pay $92K
- Michigan Physician Sentenced to Three Year Imprisonment for False Medicare Claims