Desi Barroga, MD, and Deno Barroga, MD, both 51, were indicted on one count each of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, five counts each of healthcare fraud, and one count each of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, according to a Nov. 20 Justice Department news release.
The pair operated a pain management clinic in Dallas where patients received prescriptions for high doses of hydrocodone, oxycodone and morphine, according to the release. Patients attended monthly office visits and would receive their prescription. As part of those visits, the physicians allegedly would submit fraudulent claims to insurance companies stating that patients received corticosteroid injections, but few or no injections were actually administered. The physicians also are accused of creating fake medical records to falsely reflect that injections were performed.
Of the $50 million in allegedly false claims submitted, the pair received about $12 million.
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