Indiana Doctor, Siblings Accused of Medicare Fraud
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA northwest Indiana doctor and two family members have been accused by the federal government of filing fraudulent Medicare claims, totaling more than $1 million.
U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch’s office in Hammond has filed a complaint against Dr. Conrado Castor, his sister Aurea Duncan, and his brother Jacob Castor. The home health firm owned by Dr. Castor’s siblings, American Home Health Services Inc., is also listed as a defendant.
Kirsch says Dr. Castor referred numerous Medicare patients to the firm, along with two other home health companies owned by his siblings that are not listed as defendants. The government accuses the firm of submitting Medicare claims in violation of the Stark Law and the False Claims Act.
Federal law prohibits physicians from referring Medicare patients to other health care providers or entities if an immediate family member has a financial interest.
“Medical decisions should be based on the best interests of patients and not on the personal financial interests of referring physicians and their family members,” said Thomas Kirsch, U.S. Attorney for northern Indiana.
Kirsch says from 2008-2014, the family filed more than 400 claims, allegedly bilking the Medicare program of $1.2 million.