The co-owner and CEO of a Louisiana diagnostic laboratory was indicted for his alleged role in a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid of more than $148 million in unnecessary testing.
Brad Schaeffer, 48, of Zachary, La., allegedly billed Medicare for testing of "at least 15 substances in urine specimens it received, regardless of the patient's treatment plan and history, or the request of the referring provider," according to a Nov. 30 Justice Department news release.
Through the lab — MedComp Sciences — Mr. Schaeffer allegedly wrote off patient co-pays, directed lab staff to fill out and submit order forms on providers, orchestrated a pass-through billing scheme using hospitals and paid kickbacks to physicians disguised as laboratory ownership interests.
He is facing one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, five counts of healthcare fraud and three counts of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions, the release said.
The scheme allegedly occurred between January 2013 and August 2022.