Miami Physician Indicted In Medicare Fraud Scheme
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – An osteopathic doctor and longtime Miami Beach resident, dubbed the "Rock Doc," was indicted for health care fraud and, if charged, could face up to 10 years in prison and a hefty fine.
Christopher Gregory Wayne, 53, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a Medicare fraud scheme on September 30th.
Wayne is charged with 12 counts of health care fraud by executing a scheme to defraud the Medicare program.
According to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, Wayne, who once wore his hair in spikes, was charged for submitting "false claims" for therapeutic treatments, such as 15-minute massages and electrical simulations.
The paper reports that, according to the Wall Street Journal which profiled the doctor in December of 2010, Medicare regulations require that physical therapists billing under a physician must have completed the accredited physical-therapy education program. But, according to the paper, Wayne disclosed that he trained his "office girls" to do the work partly due, according to the paper, because hiring licensed physical therapists was too pricey.
If Wayne is convicted, he faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
"The Miami Herald contributed to this report."
