Jury Convicts Los Angeles Physician Assistant for Stealing Doctor's Identity and Defrauding Medicare in $7.7 Mill...(e Department of Health of Human Services...),Health

According to the evidence presented at trial, Bradshaw worked as a licensed physician assistant at a Los Angeles clinic, Glenmountain Medical Group (Glenmountain), allegedly under the supervision of a doctor. Evidence at trial established that from approximately April 2005 to April 2008, Bradshaw prescribed hundreds of motorized wheelchairs and custom-fitted orthotics to Medicare beneficiaries under the apparent authority and supervision of a doctor. Bradshaw also ordered diagnostic tests for these beneficiaries under the same doctor's apparent authority.

The doctor, whose unique physician identification number had been used by the defendant to forge medically unnecessary prescriptions, testified that he never worked at Glenmountain and that he never authorized the defendant to use his number. The total amount billed under this doctor's name for medical equipment and tests prescribed by the defendant was $7,708,069.

Several beneficiaries testified at trial that they were recruited by patient recruiters to be examined at Glenmountain. Some beneficiaries testified that they were enticed by the promise of a free exam, while others were promised free, expensive medical equipment. Juana Aranda, a professional patient recruiter who previously pleaded guilty in connection with this scheme, testified that she was paid cash for bringing Medicare beneficiaries to Glenmountain and that she was paid more if the beneficiary was prescribed a motorized wheelchair.

Each of the beneficiaries who testified at trial stated that they had no difficulties walking and that they did not complain about any difficulties during their respective examinations. After their examinations, however, each receiv
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