Michigan Podiatrist Sentenced to over 4.5 years for Medicare Fraud

On January 15, 2013, Richard Behnan, DPM., a 56 year old podiatrist from Fenton, MI was sentenced by a federal judge to 55 months in prison and ordered to pay over $1.4 million in restitution to Medicare and nearly $200,000 to BCBSM for his participation in a $1.6 million fraudulent medical billing scheme. Dr.Behnan previously pleaded guilty on November 21, 2011 to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. According to the plea documents, from approximately 2000 through 2010, Dr. Behnan, provided services to patients at various senior centers and assisted living facilities in Bay City, Flint, Detroit, and Lansing submitting claims to BCBSM and Medicare for nail avulsion procedures when he had merely trimmed and polished the patients’ toenails. At times, Dr. Behnan submitted claims for nail avulsion procedures when he was traveling outside of the United States.

The attorneys at The Health Law Partners have a significant amount of experience in the defense of health care fraud investigations. For more information regarding such matters, please contact Robert S. Iwrey, Esq. at (248) 996-8510 or riwrey@thehlp.com.