Physician admits to billing Medicare for dead patients

Ayla Ellison -

A suspended physician pleaded guilty to two counts of healthcare fraud in federal court Friday, in a scheme that involved billing Medicare for services provided to deceased patients, according to the Department of Justice.

In the written plea agreement, Charles S. DeHaan, MD, of Belvidere, Ill., admitted he billed Medicare at the highest reimbursement levels for routine, noncomplex visits with patients even though he knew the services didn't qualify for the top reimbursement rate. Dr. DeHaan, who primarily billed Medicare for in-home patient visits, billed Medicare at the highest reimbursement levels for patients who were deceased on the date of the alleged visits, according to the DOJ.

State officials suspended Dr. DeHaan's medical license in January 2014, citing several complaints of inappropriate sexual contact with patients. Dr. DeHaan is facing 26 counts of sexual abuse that stem from accusations from three of his former female patients, according to a WIFR news report.

Dr. DeHaan faces up to 10 years in prison for each healthcare fraud count. He is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 21.

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