A Utah podiatrist and two nurses have been indicted on charges of submitting $29 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for medically unnecessary skin substitute services, the Justice Department said in a May 12 news release.
Ryan Ellsworth, DPM, owner of Price-based Summit Foot and Ankle and Amble Medical, allegedly billed $44 million in skin substitute claims to Medicare, of which Medicare paid more than $19 million, for patients who did not have qualifying wounds or who had not received the required 30 days of basic wound care. Emily Kelly, a nurse practitioner, billed an additional $17 million in claims, of which Medicare paid more than $10 million.
Dr. Ellsworth also allegedly caused unqualified providers, including registered nurse Drake Broadbent, to perform skin substitute services outside their professional scope of practice.
All three are charged with healthcare fraud and wire fraud. Dr. Ellsworth and Mr. Broadbent face additional charges of making false statements relating to healthcare matters. Their initial appearance is scheduled for June 8. All charges are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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