A Whitefish physician faces charges from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Montana for allegedly participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, resulting in around $39 million in fraudulent billing of Medicare and other federal benefits programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Daily Montanan reveals that Ronald David Dean has agreed to work with federal prosecutors and has entered into a plea deal, wherein he will assist in the ongoing investigation and repay approximately $780,500 in restitution to the Medicare program and other federal programs.
According to a criminal charging document filed in U.S. District Court in Missoula, Dean allegedly signed fraudulent prescriptions and documents for unnecessary medical devices and COVID-19 tests, allowing two individuals in Florida to bill the government for the costs. Dean reportedly received payments as part of a kickback scheme orchestrated by the two individuals.
The scheme led to fraudulent claims totaling $39.6 million, with at least $18 million paid out by Medicare, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Railroad Retirement Board.
In order to obtain Medicare reimbursement for medical equipment, providers must comply with program regulations, including anti-kickback statutes and submitting claims only for necessary prescriptions. The charging document details how Dean and his co-conspirators circumvented these requirements from January 2022 to July 2023.
Dean, working as an independent contractor, allegedly signed doctors’ orders for medical equipment and COVID-19 tests without proper assessments, leading to false claims submitted to government healthcare programs. Payments received for these fraudulent claims went to Dean, who then funneled most of the money back to the co-conspirators.
Under the plea agreement, Dean may receive a reduced offense level for accepting responsibility and providing substantial assistance to the government’s investigations. The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not comment on whether the co-conspirators have been charged.
Dean, an emergency department physician at St. Luke Community Healthcare in Ronan, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include comments from Todd, who said the allegations do not involve Dean’s work as a contracted physician at St. Luke Community Healthcare.
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