A Kalamazoo doctor, Theresa A. Kordish, has been charged with participating in a telehealth fraud scheme that bilked Medicare out of nearly $800,000, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan.
Dr. Kordish allegedly misused a telehealth application to approve orders for medical equipment, such as braces and genetic testing, without conducting proper medical reviews.
The indictment accuses her of certifying she had reviewed each order when, in reality, she approved most of them in under a minute, raising questions about the legitimacy of the examinations.
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Scheme Exposed, Doctor Arraigned
The alleged fraud came to light after an investigation into Real Time Medical Services, the company behind the telehealth application. The company’s owner, Marc Sporn, was sentenced to 14 years in prison in June 2022 for his role in the scheme.
Dr. Kordish’s alleged actions involved approving orders for equipment from companies affiliated with Real Time Medical Services. These orders resulted in Medicare reimbursements that ultimately lined the pockets of those involved in the scheme.
Dr. Kordish is charged with one count of making a false statement relating to a healthcare matter. She appeared in court for her arraignment on June 18th, 2024, and entered a plea of not guilty. A trial date has not yet been set.
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Telehealth and the Fight Against Fraud
Telehealth, which allows patients to connect with doctors remotely, has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, this case underscores the potential for fraudulent practices within this growing sector of healthcare.
The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat healthcare fraud and protect taxpayer dollars.
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