Little Rock, AR – Dr. Joe David May, a disgraced Arkansas physician, will spend the next 102 months in federal prison after being convicted of a brazen scheme to defraud TRICARE, the healthcare program for military personnel and veterans. May wasn’t providing care; he was rubber-stamping prescriptions for kickbacks, lining his pockets while exploiting those who served our country. The feds finally caught up to him, and the sentence sends a clear message: profiting from the healthcare system at the expense of our troops won’t be tolerated.
The scheme, exposed after a six-day trial in June 2022, centered around a “prescription assembly line.” Middlemen targeted TRICARE beneficiaries – military members and veterans – and used their identities to generate prescriptions for expensive, compounded drugs. These prescriptions were then shipped to doctors like May, who, instead of providing legitimate medical oversight, simply signed them for a cut of the profits. May faced 22 counts including wire fraud, mail fraud, violating the anti-kickback statute, and lying to the FBI. He was convicted on all charges.
Federal prosecutors laid out evidence demonstrating May knowingly participated in the fraud, receiving thousands of dollars in kickbacks for each prescription he approved. He didn’t evaluate patients, didn’t verify medical necessity, and didn’t care that the drugs were often unnecessary or prescribed to individuals he’d never even met. TRICARE ultimately shelled out over $4.63 million based on May’s fraudulent approvals, and the total cost of the scheme topped $12 million. In 2015 alone, TRICARE spent over $2 billion on compounded drugs – a figure that highlights the vulnerability of the system to abuse.
The investigation revealed a network of co-conspirators who profited from the scheme. While May faced the harshest penalty, others involved are likely to face prosecution. The feds are actively working to recover the stolen funds, with restitution ordered in the amount of $4.63 million. May will also forfeit any assets obtained through the illegal activity and pay a $2,200 special assessment. This isn’t just about money, though; it’s about the betrayal of trust and the harm inflicted on a vulnerable population.
U.S. District Judge Kristine G. Baker didn’t mince words during sentencing. She emphasized the severity of the crime and the need to deter others from engaging in similar fraudulent activities. “This was a calculated and deliberate scheme to defraud the TRICARE system,” Baker stated. “The defendant abused his position of trust and exploited the healthcare system for personal gain.” May will also serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison sentence.
The case underscores the ongoing battle against healthcare fraud and the commitment of federal law enforcement to protect programs like TRICARE. While this conviction represents a significant victory, the feds warn that the fight is far from over. They urge anyone with information about healthcare fraud to come forward, promising to relentlessly pursue those who attempt to exploit the system and steal from taxpayers. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and report on any further developments.
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