Illinois Doctor Agrees to Pay $62,500 for Signing False Orders in Durable Medical Equipment Scheme

BOSTON - An Illinois-based doctor has agreed to pay $62,500 to resolve allegations that she caused the submission of false claims to Medicare for medically unreasonable and unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME).

The United States previously filed a complaint against Dr. Alexandria Williams. The complaint alleges that Dr. Williams signed orders for DME that were pre-populated based on telemarketing calls made to Medicare beneficiaries and contained multiple false statements, including that Dr. Williams had completed an evaluation of the patient, discussed the use of orthotics with the patient and instructed the patient on medical follow-up care. Without these signed orders, DME suppliers could not have submitted claims to Medicare for the medically unnecessary orthotics. The complaint further alleges that Dr. Williams received payment for each order she reviewed through a staffing company that had connected her with Integrated Support Plus, Inc., a telemedicine company whose owner pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme in 2020.

As part of the settlement agreement, Dr. Williams admitted that, between December 2018 and April 2019, she worked for Integrated Support Plus and signed orders for medically unnecessary orthotic braces for Medicare beneficiaries.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. This matter is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra Brazier and Lindsey Ross of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit.