Eric Haeger, MD, of Brewster, Wash., pleaded guilty Dec. 17 to adulterating and misbranding medical devices with intent to defraud or mislead, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.
What happened?
- Between July 2021 and July 2023, Dr. Haeger obtained more than 500 recalled Philips Respironics devices from online resellers and directed staff to dismantle and reassemble them in non-sterile environments. He then distributed the altered machines to Medicaid patients through his sleep clinic.
- Philips Respironics issued a recall in June 2021 for certain CPAP and BiPAP machines due to potential health risks from sound abatement foam, including inflammatory response, asthma, nausea or vomiting, and cancer-causing effects.
- Clinic staff, under Dr. Haeger’s supervision, billed Medicaid for the devices as if they were new and fully operational.
