Clinton, N.Y.-based orthopedic surgeon Gregory Shankman, MD, was indicted on charges of operating an ongoing scheme defrauding the Workers' Compensation system by more than $50,000, according to WorkersCompensation.com.
Here are five things to know:
1. Dr. Shankman was indicted for grand larceny in the first and second degree and 21 counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree.
2. An investigation by Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara, JD, found that Dr. Shankman defrauded the system by saying he was at medical exams at his Utica office that he submitted claims for when he was actually traveling in western N.Y., out of state and out of the country.
3. On multiple occasions, Dr. Shankman performed medical examinations on Workers' Compensation patients in offices across upstate and western N.Y., while also billing for services conducted simultaneously at his Utica office that required his presence. Patients at Dr. Shankman's office were often seen only by a physician's assistant, who was not authorized to examine and treat Workers' Compensation patients without Dr. Shankman's direct supervision.
4. Dr. Shankman submitted false bills for medical services to the State Insurance Fund, the County of Oneida and other insurance carriers, third party administrators and self-insured entities.
"The indictment alleges that this physician blatantly and greedily ignored standard procedures to operate an illicit medical billing mill while vacationing abroad," said New York Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott, JD, in the report. "He profited personally from his conduct while putting honest medical practitioners at a severe disadvantage. I remain committed to using all the resources at my disposal to pursue anyone who defrauds the Workers' Compensation system."
5. Dr. Shankman was arraigned on the indictment today in Oneida County Court and released pending further court action.
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