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Health Law Highlights

Twin Brothers Plead Guilty to $45 Million Healthcare Fraud

Summary of article from D Magazine, by Will Maddox:

Drs. Desi and Deno Barroga have admitted to a healthcare fraud scheme involving false claims for steroid injections that were never provided, defrauding insurers including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and United Healthcare. The scheme involved monthly office visits for patients on addictive drugs, where they fraudulently claimed to perform costly treatments. Manipulated medical records and coerced patient statements were used to validate the fraudulent claims, leading to the doctors billing insurance for $45 million and receiving $9 million. Both doctors have a history of disciplinary actions from the Texas Medical Board related to improper prescribing and inadequate record-keeping. The brothers now face a maximum of 10 years in federal prison.