Dr. Bird operated the now-shuttered Physicians Wellness and Pain Specialists in Tampa from May 2014 to June 2018, the Justice Department said. He structured $481,526 in cash deposits to evade bank reporting requirements.
Dr. Bird split the sum into 60 deposits, each under $10,000, often occurring minutes apart on the same day, the Justice Department said. He was found guilty May 21, 2021.
In addition to his two-year prison term, Dr. Bird was sentenced to one year of supervised release, and the court entered a money judgment in the amount he illegally structured.
He was acquitted of other unspecified charges. In June 2018, he was arrested on opioid distribution charges as part of the largest healthcare fraud enforcement action in the Justice Department’s history.
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.