Two acupuncturists, two physical therapists and an insurance company employee were indicted in connection with a $20 million healthcare fraud scheme at medical offices in three New York City boroughs.
As part of the scheme, the insurance employee referred patients to the medical offices in exchange for kickbacks and also assisted in paying kickbacks to the patients who were insured by Medicare and/or other insurance providers, according to a Sept. 13 Justice Department news release. The defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly billed the insurance providers for physical therapy and acupuncture services that were unnecessary or never performed.
Those facing charges are:
- Junyi Liu, 69, a licensed acupuncturist from Great Neck, N.Y.
- Hongxing Wang, 63, a licensed acupuncturist from New York City
- Jonathan Laqui, 46, a physical therapist from Rahway, N.J.
- Mitzy Baldovino, 46, a physical therapist from New York City
- Victor Man, 60, an insurance company employee from New York City