Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

• A Detroit-area physical therapist (PT) has learned the hard way that fraudulently billing Medicare will eventually catch up with you.

According to an Aug. 26 press release from the FBI's Detroit office, the PT pleaded guilty to creating fake therapy files and signing progress notes documenting services that were never actually performed.

The PT, along with several coconspirators, admitted that he falsified claims that were billed to Medicare totaling about $1.6 million, for which Medicare reimbursed $772,800. The PT faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

To read the press release, visit http://detroit.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/de082609.htm.