Detroit Podiatrist Charged for Role in $13.9 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/detroit-podiatrist-charged-role-139-million-medicare-fraud-scheme
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Detroit Podiatrist Charged for Role in $13.9 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
A Detroit podiatrist was charged in an indictment unsealed today for his alleged participation in a $13.9 million health care fraud scheme involving fraudulent claims for unnecessary foot surgeries and other podiatric services that were never rendered.
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Lawrence Young, D.P.M., of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, was charged with six counts of health care fraud in an indictment filed in the Eastern District of Michigan. Young was arrested this morning and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony P. Pattiof the Eastern District of Michigan.
According to the indictment, Young owned Dearborn Podiatric Services and Georgetown Podiatric Services, located in Dearborn, Michigan, and Sterling Heights, Michigan, respectively. The indictment alleges that between January 2010 through 2016, Young falsely conveyed to his podiatry patients that they needed weekly or bi-weekly shots and minor surgeries to prevent hammertoe, which were allegedly medically unnecessary. As a result, these patients returned to his practice on a regular basis every month for shots and minor surgeries. Additionally, Young allegedly billed Medicare for other podiatry services, such as Unna Boots, which were never given.
According to the indictment, Young submitted false and fraudulent claims to Medicare in the amount of approximately $13.9 million.
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