Houston Chiropractor Convicted of Health Care Fraud in State and Federal Probe HOUSTON, TX - Justina Okehie aka Dr. Tina Collins, 55, of Richmond, Texas, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. The conspiracy resulted in fraudulent physical therapy and chiropractic claims being paid by the Medicare and the Texas Medicaid programs. From January 2007 through August 2010, Medicare and Medicaid paid approximately $2.1 million to Okehie. Okehie owned and operated Adom Rehabilitation Services and Healthcare and Wellness Medical Center which were both located in southwest side Houston. As part of the conspiracy, Okehie would pay patient recruiters to refer Medicare beneficiaries to her clinics. Okehie also paid the Medicare beneficiaries themselves for just showing up at the clinics. In many instances, the physical therapy and chiropractic services billed to the government health care programs were not performed and were not medically necessary. Some of the Medicare beneficiaries were actually receiving medical services at inpatient hospital facilities at the time Okehie was purportedly providing them physical therapy and chiropractic services in her clinics. Co-defendant Cassandra Tasbv Barnes. 48. of Houston, who was employed by Barnes as an office manager, had previously pleaded guilty in this case to one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-kickback statute. Barnes pleaded guilty for her role in paying Medicare beneficiaries and patient recruiters for referring Medicare beneficiaries for physical therapy and chiropractic services. Both Okehie and Barnes are currently on bond and are scheduled to be sentenced on May 21,2012, before U.S. District Judge Nancy Atlas. The investigation into Adorn Rehabilitation and Healthcare and Wellness Medical Center was the result of joint efforts by agents and investigators of the Inspector General's Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Texas Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Railroad Retirement Board and the FBI. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Redlinger are prosecuting this case. Source: The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Expansion of Medicare Advantage Business Is One of WellPoint's Biggest Ever INDIANAPOLIS, IN - WellPoint affiliated plans are adding Medicare Advantage (MA) products in 136 counties in 11 states this year, encompassing a population of more than 1 million people eligible for Medicare. MA plans incorporate Medicare Parts A (hospital) and B (medical) into one convenient product that may include additional benefits. Part D also can be added for drug coverage (MAPD). More than 12 million people across the country have a MA plan, according to America's Health Insurance Plans. "We're very excited to get approval from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services for this expansion, which is one of our biggest ever." said Julie G. Smith, a vice president in WellPoint's senior business. "These plans will help provide people eligible for Medicare with more choices for their health care within their respective markets." As a result of the expansion. Medicare eligibles in 74 counties in six states will have access to a WellPoint affiliated health plan for the very first time. The largest expansions to new counties are occurring in Georgia, Missouri, Virginia and Wisconsin. Premiums vary by geography, including some $0 premium plans. Additionally, people in many counties that were already served by WellPoint affiliated plans will have access to new products. For example, they may have access to a WellPoint local PPO or HMO plan for the very first time. The products are being sold during the 2011 plan Annual Election Period (AEP), which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 this year, with an effective date of Jan. 1.2012. Also during AEP. the WellPoint affiliated plans are offering Optional Supplemental Benefits (OSBs) in 12 states. OSBs cover additional services that may not be covered in the member's Medicare Advantage health plan, such as dental, vision, chiropractic services and acupuncture. Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in an optional supplemental benefit package when they enroll in their 2012 MAPD or for up to 90 days after their plan effective date. OSBs require an additional premium. "Baby Boomers are aging into Medicare with many interests and goals." Smith said. "We're developing products like OSBs to give them a variety of choices." In addition to MA and MAPD plans and OSBs, WellPoint affiliated plans offer Medicare Supplement plans with extra benefits available for purchase called "Anthem Extras." Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information. Benefits and premium may change on January 1, 2013. The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of benefits. For more information contact the plan. Source: WellPoint, Inc. B7H1 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.
