Two clinical psychologists each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud for their involvement in a $25 million fraudulent psychological testing scheme involving Medicare recipients, according to the Department of Justice.
According to court documents, Beverly Stubblefield and John Teal practiced as clinical psychologists at Nursing Home Psychological Services and Psychological Care Services, both in Slidell, La.
Ms. Stubblefield and Mr. Teal admitted that, while working for NHPS and PCS, they billed billed Medicare for administering medically unnecessary psychological tests to nursing home residents throughout Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi from 2010 to 2015. They admitted to billing Medicare for multiple tests administered home residents who were incapacitated and could not meaningfully participate.
Ms. Stubblefield and Mr. Teal were reportedly responsible for more than $5.6 million in fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare. NHPS and PCS submitted roughly $25.5 million total in claims between 2009 to 2015, according to the superseding indictment.
Mr. Teal, Ms. Stubblefield and their accomplices were charged in October 2015. A trial date has yet to be scheduled for Ms. Stubblefield and Mr. Teal.