Paterson doctor pleads guilty to defrauding Medicare, private insurers out of $3 million
By Jonathan Greene
Published: October 18, 2017
A doctor with offices in Paterson, Passaic, and Elizabeth admitted to defrauding Medicare and private insurance companies out of $3 million by billing more than 150,000 physical therapy sessions that were performed by untrained and unlicensed staff, according to acting U.S. attorney William Fitzpatrick.
Anthony J. Enrico, 60, of North Haledon, pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud on Tuesday at the Newark federal court, authorities said. From January 2007 through May 2016, Enrico, a podiatrist with offices on Broadway in Paterson, billed Medicare and other health insurance providers claiming the sessions were conducted by him.
Authorities said the physical therapy services can only be performed by trained and certified individuals. In this case, the services were provided by untrained and uncertified staff at Enrico’s direction, authorities said.
Separately, Enrico’s medical license was suspended in April by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners for his alleged “indiscriminate prescribing” of addictive painkillers like Oxycodone and Vicodin to patients for years without any legitimate medical purpose, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
Enrico faces a 10-year prison sentence and fines up to twice the loss caused by his offense. As part of the plea deal, Enrico will pay $3 million in restitution.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 25, 2018.