BOSTON – A greedy doctor has been brought to justice after a five-year scheme to rake in millions in cash from the government. Dr. Donald Salzberg, 69, a licensed medical doctor in the State of Connecticut for nearly 40 years, owned and operated Donald J. Salzberg, M.D., an ophthalmology practice in West Hartford, Conn.
But instead of treating eyes, Salzberg concocted a plan to order hundreds of medically unnecessary brain scans, for which he would receive kickbacks from a medical diagnostics company. From 2014 through 2019, the scheme resulted in fraudulent bills of over $3 million to Medicare and private insurance companies.
Salzberg, a supposed medical professional, conspired with a principal for the medical diagnostics company to order the unnecessary transcranial doppler (TCD) scans. He used false patient diagnoses to justify the unnecessary procedures, which earned him cash kickbacks of $100 to $125 per test, as well as sham administrative services fees.
U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock handed down the sentence: one year and one day in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. Salzberg was also ordered to pay $1.34 million in restitution to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Locker of the Health Care Fraud Unit prosecuted the case, working closely with federal agencies to bring the ‘cash-hungry doc’ to justice. The case was announced by a coalition of law enforcement officials, including Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
Salzberg’s scheme was a clear abuse of the healthcare system, and his sentence serves as a warning to others who would seek to exploit the system for personal gain. As the investigation revealed, Salzberg’s actions resulted in significant financial losses for the government and private insurance companies, and his sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes.
The case highlights the importance of vigilance in detecting and preventing healthcare fraud, and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to root out corruption and bring perpetrators to justice.
Salzberg’s guilty plea in July 2022 to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to receive kickbacks marked the end of a long and complex investigation.
Dr. Salzberg’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder that those who would seek to exploit the healthcare system for personal gain will be held accountable for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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