Louisville chiropractor charged in $28,000 health care fraud KENTUCKY: A Louisville chiropractor is facing a federal charge of health-care fraud over accusations that he ripped off a local insurance company. Dr. Mark A. Schrader, 46, who ran Family Chiropractic, is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Akron before Judge John R. Adams. He has not yet entered a plea, but did waive his right to have a grand jury consider the case. Federal prosecutors say Schrader schemed to defraud Canton-based AultCare by billing it for patients who didn't show signs or symptoms warranting treatment, according to court papers. The insurance company paid more than S28.00Q in fraudulent claims for seven patients during a three-year period ending in December 2003. according to court papers. The case was prompted by an investigation by the Ohio Department of Insurance, according to federal prosecutors. Source: www. can ton rep. com Chiropractic pair accused of fraud settle on work plan GEORGIA: A Marietta couple accused of fraudulently billing health care insurers for Sll million in fake insurance claims has entered into an interim agreement with the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Chiropractors Andrew Sokol, 41, and Julie Weisberg, 35, have agreed in a signed order to not enter into an agreement with any health plan or government payor regarding patient services, submit any bill for patient care services to any health insurance plan or government payor, and to only provide patient care services on a cash or credit card basis. "The Board understands that the Respondent is presumed innocent of the charges contained in the indictment. Moreover, the Board notes that the indictment does not challenge the quality of care provided by Respondent to any patient. However, to allav any concerns of the Board or Respondent's patients due to the existence of the criminal charges. Respondent and the Board agree to enter into this Interim Consent Order during the pendency of the criminal charges." the order states. Sokol and Weisberg were arraigned on felony fraud charges last month in U.S. District Court in Atlanta. They are accused of billing Blue Cross Blue Shield and other private insurers for millions of dollars in physical therapy services that prosecutors say were never provided. Sokol had owned and operated several Wellness One chiropractic clinics in the Atlanta area, including one in Marietta. Weisberg was a partner in that business, which prosecutors said was the most profitable of the clinics. Earlier this month, the Journal reported that the couple is now a franchisee of The Joint Powers Ferry, a clinic at 2022 Powers Ferry Road, near Interstate 285. Sokol and Weisberg are both licensed chiropractors who provided massages, personal training and chiropractic adjustments, said acting U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. Federal prosecutors estimate a trial to take at least two weeks, though no trial date has been set. Sokol is charged with one count of conspiracy. 53 counts of health care fraud, three counts of mail fraud and five counts of money laundering. Weisberg will face one count of conspiracy. 24 counts of health care fraud and three counts of mail fraud. The indictment includes a forfeiture provision for their personal property at 3306 Hadleigh Court in Marietta. Prosecutors allege that, from January 2005 to September 2007, the couple employed doctors and physical therapists in order to bill massages as physical therapy, Yates said. The licensed providers did not see a majority of the patients and massage therapists gave the massages, she said. Sokol also built gyms in the clinics and then billed personal training sessions to insurers as physical therapy, Yates said. The couple apparently targeted MBNA and Bank of America employees because their Blue Cross Blue Shield policies provided generous chiropractic and physical therapy insurance benefits-prosecutors said. Source: The Marietta Daily Journal Former NY Giant great and NFL Hall of Famer Harry Carson was the recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year Award for Chiropractic in New York State for 2009. Carson along with Brad Circone received this distinguished honor at the NY Chiropractic Council's annual convention in Tarrvtown. NY. Carson with the NY Chiropractic Council was instrumental in leading H.O.P.E. Day, which stands for Helping Other People Eat. The NY Chiropractic Council's members in conjunction with The NY Giants Foundation held a statewide benefit for area food banks which helped to raise over $16.000. The NY Chiropractic Council also held an auction to benefit the Harry Carson Scholarship Foundation at this event and over $8.800 was raised for his foundation. Carson has been working closely with The Council for the past 2 years. He was instrumental in launching the Council's groundbreaking WellCare Revolution campaign. The WellCare Revolution is a program of everyday vested health care. Council doctors and their practice members throughout New York State are engaged in a process of authentic health care delivery. In a time where health care has been a hot button topic in our country. Chiropractic offers cutting edge delivery of true wellness. The studies on Chiropractic effectiveness prove that patients that visit Chiropractors beyond simple acute pain complaints have amazing results. Chiropractic is the number one sought out form of alternative health care in the U.S. and second in overall visits after traditional medical care. Most major league sports teams currently have staff Chiropractors. To locate a Council H.O.P.E. doctor near you, call 1-800-426-6922 or log onto www.nvcouncil.com. Source: New York Chiropractic Council I Pass on the information to inform other D. C. 's about events that are really happening to chiropractors. For further information, fax 1-305-716-9212. Write us at [email protected] or #CO138, 8619 NW 68th St., Miami, FL 33166.
