06/27/2017    

PODIATRISTS AND THE LAW

CO Podiatrist Sentenced to Prison for Healthcare Fraud

 

A Fort Collins podiatrist was sentenced to serve six (6) months in prison and pay a $20,000 fine for fraudulently billing Medicare for routine foot care services, announced Acting United States Attorney John Green. According to court filings, Dr. Michael Thomas, age 55, pleaded guilty to eight counts of healthcare fraud arising from a scheme to bill Medicare for toenail trimming, which is not covered by Medicare, as if it were nail debridement, which is a more serious procedure that may be covered if certain clinical criteria are met. In addition to the prison sentence and fine, Thomas must pay $40,460 in restitution to Medicare and complete 2 years of supervised release at the end of his prison term.

 

Source: US Attorney's Office