A Florida physician has been sentenced to probation for his role in a multimillion-dollar Medicare fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary genetic testing and durable medical equipment.
Simon Grinshteyn, MD, was sentenced Sept. 22 in federal court in Boston to four years of probation, including six months of home confinement, 400 hours of community service and $3,160,809.43 in restitution, according to the Justice Department. U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley’s sentence fell short of the 18 months in prison and 18 months of supervised release prosecutors had recommended. Dr. Grinshteyn pleaded guilty in March to one count of making false statements relating to health care matters; he was charged in January.
Between February and June 2020, Dr. Grinshteyn worked with a purported telemedicine company to sign pre-populated medical documentation, including physicians’ orders, for genetic testing and DME that Medicare beneficiaries did not need. The records made it appear he had examined patients and would provide further care, though he generally never contacted beneficiaries and had no provider-patient relationship with them. DME suppliers and laboratories then submitted the signed orders to Medicare, which paid more than $3.1 million on the false claims.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
