Here’s hoping you’ve gotten a little kick out of the rhyme we came up with for the title of this week’s blog. While we’d like to bask in its creativity, it’s important to note that it actually is quite true. At least this has been the case over the past week. Two of America’s top vacation spots – Hawaii and Las Vegas – have seen doctors face the consequences of their fraudulent actions.
Dr. Mark Lipetz of Maui is guilty of health care fraud.
When we think of Hawaii, we can’t help but think of luaus, limbo contests and lots of sandy beaches. Of course, the state that is an island way out in Oceania is known as a highly-regarded vacation destination. But it is so much more than that. Made up of a number of islands, Hawaii has its own unique culture. One of those islands, Maui, is the second largest. It’s also home to 50 year-old Dr. Mark Lipetz who, earlier this week, pleaded guilty to two counts of health care fraud.
As reported by MauiNow.com, Lipetz also pleaded guilty to one count of a controlled substance through misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge. The owner and operator of the South Maui Clinic in Kihei, Lipetz wrote numerous prescriptions for medications using the names and addresses of actual patients, according to the report.
“Prosecutors said instead of giving the medication to the patients on the prescriptions he gave it to other patients or ‘created a stockpile from which Lipetz could provide ‘trial samples’ to patients without writing them a prescription,’” reads MauiNow.com, “Lipetz also submitted more than 200 false claims for reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid, Hawaii Medical Services Association (HMSA) and United Healthcare between May 2014 and July 2018.” He is scheduled for sentencing on December 5th.
Dr. Steven A. Holper of Las Vegas is guilty of distributing a controlled substance.
When we think of Las Vegas, we can’t help but think of casinos, live shows and the world famous strip. People from all over the world visit the Nevada city with hopes of winning big bucks and having the times of their lives. Las Vegas is also home to Dr. Steven A. Holper who, earlier this week, was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
As reported by the District of Nevada branch of the United States Department of Justice, the 67 year-old pain management doctor unlawfully prescribed the addictive opioids Fentanyl, Hydrocodone and Oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. Holper admitted doing so between July 2015 and March 2016.
“At least one patient that Dr. Holper admitted he distributed these drugs to passed away with a toxic level of fentanyl in the patient’s system,” reports the DoJ.
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Neill of the Drug Enforcement Administration was one of the individuals who made the announcement about Holper’s sentencing earlier this week. “A lot lives were impacted by Dr. Holper’s reckless behavior,” he is quoted as saying, “This case highlights the impact that federal and state and local agencies have combatting the opioid epidemic in Las Vegas.”
Are you an attorney who is currently trying a health care fraud case?
Please don’t hesitate to contact Allegiant Experts to find out how our clinical expertise may help your case. Give us a call at 407-217-5831 or email us at info@allegiantexperts.com.