In a recent case of health care fraud, a Long Island chiropractor has been sentenced to prison for his role in a scheme that involved billing an insurance company over $1 million for acupuncture services that were never provided. Peter Adamczak, a licensed chiropractor operating in East Meadow, Long Island, pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to a year and a day in prison, along with a restitution payment of nearly $1 million and the forfeiture of over $180,000. This case serves as a reminder that the justice system will hold accountable dishonest healthcare professionals who abuse the trust placed in them by engaging in fraudulent practices to enrich themselves.
Summary
A Long Island chiropractor has been sentenced to prison for health care fraud. Peter Adamczak, a licensed chiropractor operating in East Meadow, has been found guilty of billing an insurance company over $1 million for acupuncture services that were never provided. As a result, Adamczak has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in restitution and forfeit over $180,000. This case highlights the serious consequences of health care fraud and the impact it has on both patients and the healthcare system.
Background
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for upholding the law and ensuring justice is served. Their official website provides information about the Department’s organizational structure, budget, and performance history, as well as resources for victims of crimes and guidance documents for legal professionals. The Eastern District of New York (EDNY) is one of the DOJ’s districts, tasked with prosecuting federal crimes in the region.
Long Island Chiropractor Sentenced to Prison for Health Care Fraud
Peter Adamczak, a licensed chiropractor operating in East Meadow, Long Island, has been sentenced to prison for health care fraud. Adamczak billed a private insurance company over $1 million for acupuncture services that were never performed. His fraudulent scheme took place from 2016 to 2020, during which he submitted false claims for reimbursement. The sentencing serves as a reminder that dishonest healthcare professionals will be held accountable for their actions.
Sentencing Details
Adamczak has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison for his involvement in health care fraud. In addition to the prison sentence, he has been ordered to pay nearly $1 million in restitution to the insurance company and forfeit over $180,000. This serves as a warning to other fraudsters that the consequences of their actions can be severe.
Announcement of Sentencing
The sentencing of Adamczak was announced by U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge Christie M. Curtis, and Inspector General Lucy Lang. This demonstrates the collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies to bring healthcare fraudsters to justice.
Statement from U.S. Attorney Breon Peace
U.S. Attorney Peace emphasizes that Adamczak’s fraudulent scheme came at a personal cost to the defendant. By submitting false and fraudulent billing claims, Adamczak abused the trust placed in him as a healthcare professional. This case serves as a reminder that healthcare fraud not only harms patients but also erodes the integrity of the healthcare system.
Statement from Inspector General Lucy Lang
Inspector General Lucy Lang highlights the serious nature of health insurance fraud. Such fraudulent activities increase the cost of coverage for those who need it most and waste valuable medical resources. The successful prosecution of Adamczak’s case demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat health care fraud and protect the interests of patients.
Chronology of Fraudulent Claims
Adamczak submitted over $1 million in fraudulent claims from 2016 to 2020. Despite not being licensed to perform acupuncture, Adamczak claimed that the services were performed by an unaffiliated acupuncturist who leased office space from him. In reality, neither Adamczak nor the unaffiliated acupuncturist provided the billed acupuncture services. The private insurance company reimbursed its beneficiaries based on Adamczak’s fraudulent claims, resulting in monetary losses and potential harm to patients.
In one specific case, a beneficiary who happened to be a relative of Adamczak deposited the reimbursement checks into their personal bank account and kept the funds. This highlights the potential for personal gain at the expense of patient care and the trust placed in healthcare professionals.
The successful prosecution of Adamczak’s case sends a strong message that healthcare fraud will not be tolerated and that those who engage in fraudulent activities will be held accountable.
In conclusion, the sentencing of a Long Island chiropractor for health care fraud serves as a stern reminder that healthcare professionals must uphold the highest ethical standards. Health insurance fraud not only deceives patients but also burdens the healthcare system and increases costs for those who need it most. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies, as demonstrated in this case, is crucial in uncovering and prosecuting such fraudulent schemes. The sentencing of Peter Adamczak to prison and the monetary penalties imposed on him send a clear message that healthcare fraud will not be tolerated and will be met with serious consequences.