An Ohio physician was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in a scheme that defrauded Medicare and Tricare out of more than $14.6 million.
Thomas Webster, MD, 51, of Sylvania, Ohio, was also ordered to pay $839,566.44 and a $50,000 fine, according to an Aug. 7 Justice Department news release. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to accept kickbacks.
Dr. Webster participated in the fraud scheme between May 2021 and September 2023 while living in Olympia, Wash., according to the release. The scheme involved an unnamed company obtaining Medicare and Tricare information using telemarketers in Eastern Washington, then creating fake medical records that fraudulently reflected visits with Dr. Webster and fraudulent orders for medical equipment signed by him. The company and physician also billed for fictitious visits and exams.
Medicare and Tricare paid more than $14.6 million for durable medical equipment fraudulently ordered by Dr. Webster for more than 10,000 beneficiaries. Dr. Webster also received at least $839,565 from Medicare and Tricare for visits and exams that never took place.