Two internists, two chiropractors, three acupuncturists and a clinic receptionist of Merrick Boulevard Clinic in Queens, N.Y., have been charged for their roles in an alleged fraud scheme, according to news release by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
The complaint against the individuals, which include internists Ernst Ducena, MD, and Emmanuel Gelin, MD, claims that auto-accident victims were allegedly recruited to the clinic by runners, who were paid by the clinic for each patient solicited. The runners and clinic staff allegedly instructed patients to visit the clinic multiples times a week over a course of several months to undergo unnecessary treatments, including initial evaluations, physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, acupuncture and diagnostic testing.
The medical professionals have been charged with allegedly submitting fraudulent claims to insurance companies under the state's motor vehicle no-fault law for services that were never provided to patients. The no-fault law states any person injured in a motor vehicle accident is automatically covered by the Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance Reparations Act. The insurance carrier of a car involved in an accident is responsible for covering the medical costs associated with the driver or any passengers in that car.
Read the news release about the arrests of Merrick Boulevard Clinic physicians and staff.
Read other coverage about healthcare fraud in New York:
- New York's North Short-Long Island Jewish Health System Settles Fraud Investigation for $2.95M
- New York Primary Care Physician Charged for Allegedly Leading Oxycodone Drug Ring, Pain Management Fraud
- New York Physician's License Revoked for Fraudulently Obtaining a Medical License, Other Charges
The complaint against the individuals, which include internists Ernst Ducena, MD, and Emmanuel Gelin, MD, claims that auto-accident victims were allegedly recruited to the clinic by runners, who were paid by the clinic for each patient solicited. The runners and clinic staff allegedly instructed patients to visit the clinic multiples times a week over a course of several months to undergo unnecessary treatments, including initial evaluations, physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, acupuncture and diagnostic testing.
The medical professionals have been charged with allegedly submitting fraudulent claims to insurance companies under the state's motor vehicle no-fault law for services that were never provided to patients. The no-fault law states any person injured in a motor vehicle accident is automatically covered by the Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Insurance Reparations Act. The insurance carrier of a car involved in an accident is responsible for covering the medical costs associated with the driver or any passengers in that car.
Read the news release about the arrests of Merrick Boulevard Clinic physicians and staff.
Read other coverage about healthcare fraud in New York:
- New York's North Short-Long Island Jewish Health System Settles Fraud Investigation for $2.95M
- New York Primary Care Physician Charged for Allegedly Leading Oxycodone Drug Ring, Pain Management Fraud
- New York Physician's License Revoked for Fraudulently Obtaining a Medical License, Other Charges