Ophthalmologist Donald Salzberg, MD, of Avon, Conn., has pleaded guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and one count of conspiracy to receive kickbacks, the Justice Department announced July 14.
"From 2014 through 2019, Salzberg conspired with a principal for a medical diagnostics company that performed transcranial doppler (TCD) scans — brain scans that measure blood flow in parts of the brain — to order hundreds of medically unnecessary TCD scans in exchange for kickbacks," the Justice Department's announcement states. "Salzberg and his co-conspirator used false patient diagnoses to order the unnecessary brain scans, for which the co-conspirator would submit claims to Medicare and other insurance companies on behalf of the medical diagnostic company for payment."
The announcement also states that for his participation, Dr. Salzberg received kickbacks ranging between $100 to $125 per fraudulent test. Overall, the scam added up to over $3 million in fraudulent bills to Medicare and private insurance companies.
Dr. Salzberg currently faces up to 15 years in prison, six years of supervised release and $500,000 in fines.
He had been the owner of Donald J. Salzberg, MD, ophthalmology practice for the past 36 years.