Chiropractor Clarence Brown III Convicted of Health Care Fraud for Submitting Fake Claims to Blue Cross Blue Shield
A Chicago chiropractor, Clarence Brown III, was found guilty of committing fraudulent federal health care charges after a two-week trial. The owner of Dr. CB3 Wellness, Inc. and Apex Integrated Medical Center, Ltd. in Chicago was convicted on April 12 on all nine counts of health care fraud against him, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
From 2016 to 2020, Brown allegedly submitted false claims to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for health care services that were never provided to patients. Some of the claims were for services supposedly provided when Brown was not even in Illinois. To support his fake claims, Brown created medical documents and billed BCBS $1.3 million for services provided to two families. He received $750,000 from the insurance provider for these false claims.
Brown’s sentencing is scheduled for July 23, 2024. If convicted, he could face significant prison time for his fraudulent activities in defrauding the insurance provider and submitting false claims for services not rendered.
The U.S Attorney’s Office stated that “This case demonstrates our commitment to protecting the integrity of our nation’s healthcare system by prosecuting individuals who engage in fraudulent activity.” They also reminded healthcare providers that they are responsible for ensuring that their billing practices comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Clarence Brown III has been charged with defrauding an insurance provider by submitting false health care claims for services that were never provided to patients. This case highlights the importance of honesty and transparency in billing practices within the healthcare industry.
The case also serves as a reminder that healthcare providers must adhere to all applicable laws and regulations when billing insurance providers. Failure to do so can result in severe consequences such as fines and imprisonment.
Brown’s conviction marks a significant victory for law enforcement agencies in their efforts to combat healthcare fraud and protect consumers from financial losses due to deceptive billing practices.
In conclusion, this case underscores the importance of honesty and transparency in billing practices within the healthcare industry. Healthcare providers must ensure that their billing practices comply with all applicable laws and regulations to avoid legal consequences such as fines or imprisonment like what happened with Clarence Brown III
