Lombard, IL – John A. Greager II, 75, a suburban Chicago doctor, is trading his stethoscope for a prison jumpsuit after admitting to a brazen healthcare fraud. Greager, owner of Cancer Therapy Associates S.C., wasn’t just treating patients; he was systematically ripping off Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. The feds say Greager pocketed a cool $1.7 million by falsely inflating his billing records.
The scam was simple, but effective. Greager routinely removed multiple moles from patients during a single appointment, then billed insurers as if each removal occurred on separate days. This allowed him to maximize reimbursement – insurers pay more for individual procedures, naturally. Federal prosecutors detailed how Greager knowingly submitted these false claims between 2015 and 2021, lining his pockets at the expense of the healthcare system.
But the deception didn’t stop at inflated billing. Greager actively worked to cover up the fraud. Instead of promptly sending removed moles for pathology testing – a crucial step for diagnosing potentially life-threatening conditions – he hoarded them on-site. This delay in testing created a dangerous situation for patients, potentially masking serious illnesses. The feds also uncovered evidence of fabricated patient charts, complete with phony pre- and post-operative notes, designed to bolster his fraudulent claims.
U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman didn’t show much sympathy. Greager received a six-month federal prison sentence and a $1 million fine. While a relatively short stint behind bars for a $1.7 million scheme, the conviction sends a clear message: manipulating the healthcare system for personal gain will be met with consequences. The fine, however, will likely only scratch the surface of the ill-gotten gains.
Sources close to the investigation say Greager’s staff were allegedly complicit, instructed to create and maintain the false records. While Greager took the fall, the feds haven’t ruled out further charges against those who aided and abetted the scheme. The case highlights a disturbing trend: healthcare professionals exploiting a system designed to protect and care for the public.
This wasn’t a case of accidental billing errors. This was a calculated, deliberate effort to defraud insurers and put patient health at risk. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and expose the dark underbelly of healthcare fraud, where greed often trumps patient care. The question remains: how many other doctors are getting away with similar schemes?
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