A New Jersey doctor has admitted to bilking Medicare and private insurers out of $3 million by billing them for more than 150,000 physical therapy sessions that were performed by unlicensed and unqualified people.
Anthony J. Enrico, 60, pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud Tuesday, according to the Department of Justice. Prosecutors said that between 2007 and 2016, Enrico billed Medicare and other insurance providers for physical therapy he was supposedly providing to his patients. In order for these services to be reimbursable, Medicare and private insurers require that they be performed only by people who’ve met certain training qualifications.
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Enrico did meet those qualifications, but he admitted that on more than 150,000 occasions, physical therapy was provided at his direction by unqualified people. As a result, he amassed about $3 million in fraudulently obtained reimbursements.
Enrico could serve up to 10 years in prison for the offense. As part of his plea agreement, he must pay restitution of $3 million. He is scheduled for sentencing in January.
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