A Fredericksburg, Texas physician was convicted for causing the submission of more than $70 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary orthotic braces and genetic tests ordered through a telemarketing scheme.
David Young, MD, 61, was convicted by a federal jury on one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and three counts of three counts of false statements relating to healthcare matters, according to a May 24 Justice Department news release.
Dr. Young prescribed braces and genetic tests for more than 13,000 Medicare beneficiaries, including undercover agents posing as different Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom he did not see, speak to or otherwise treat, according to the release.
The false prescriptions were used by brace supply companies and laboratories to bill Medicare more than $70 million. He was paid $475,000 in exchange for signing the fraudulent prescriptions, according to the release.
He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.