Medical practice manager sentenced to prison for billing fraud

Ayla Ellison -

Anthony C. Neal, who managed 20/20 Eye Care, an ophthalmology practice in Gresham, Ore., was sentenced Tuesday to one year and one day in federal prison for his role in a seven-year healthcare fraud scheme, according to the Department of Justice.

Mr. Neal and his father, who is now deceased, operated 20/20 Eye Care. According to court documents, from 2007 through 2013, Mr. Neal's father, an ophthalmologist, routinely subjected many patients to medically unnecessary diagnostic tests and billed insurance companies for those services. Mr. Neal and his father also allegedly double-billed insurance plans for certain services.

From 2009 through 2014, Mr. Neal and his father allegedly defrauded the Internal Revenue Service of $817,378 in income taxes by engaging in a scheme to conceal business revenue and personal income, according to the DOJ.

Mr. Neal pleaded guilty in July to conspiring to defraud the IRS.

In addition to his prison term, Mr. Neal was also ordered to pay $1.7 million in restitution to Medicare, Oregon's Medicaid program and several private insurance companies, and an additional $817,378 to the IRS.

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